Canray Fontenot: Barres De La Prison (1983) 

In VERY loving memory of Mr. Canray Adam Fontenot (1922 - 1995 R.I.P. Gone but NOT forgotten)

In English: Goodbye dear old mom, Goodbye poor old pop, Good brothers, And my dears little sisters, I've been condemned, For the rest of my life, To the bars of the prison :: I travelled around, I started raising hell, I was hard headed, I ran into trouble, Now I'm condemned, For the rest of my life, To the bars of the prison :: My poor old mama, She got on her knees, Her two hands on her head, Crying for me, She said, "Mm mm, Dear sweet son, I'll never see you again, You've been condemned(cont)

Canray Fontenot was one of the greatest Creole fiddlers ever! I was fortunate to see him perform live several times back in the 90s (often with his long-time musical partner Bois Sec Ardoin)!

Wow love watching this again. I remember seeing both Canray and my grandfather, Freeman Fontenot, when I was a child. I had idea this video existed until I stumbled upon looking for images/videos for my own video featuring a song wrote in my grandfather's memory.

Thank you mister Alan Lomax for finding the best traditional music talent

In Louisiana French: -Goodbye chère vieille mom -Goodbye pauvre vieux pop -Goodbye à mes frères -Et mes chères petites sœurs -Moi j'ai été condamné -Pour la balance de ma vie -Dans les barres de la prison :: -Moi j'ai roulé -Je m'ai mis à malfaire -J'avais la tête dure -J'ai rentré dans le tracas -Asteur je suis condamné -Pour la balance de ma vie -Dans les barres de la prison :: -Ma pauvre vieille maman -Elle s'a mis sur ses genoux -Ses deux mains sur la tête -En pleurant pour moi (cont)

I have a recording of this on a CD Canray Fontenot "Louisiana Hot Sauce, Creole Style" released by Arhoolie and produced by Chris Strachwitz. I have played this song for years here in Melbourne with my band, Zydeco Jump. It's a beautiful and haunting tune. I've never seen this video of Canray, Bois Sec and Freeman Fontenot until I saw it here. What a great video.

What a soulful performance and such an infectious smile that man had. What I wouldn't give to play a jam with him.

Gets me everytime😢😢😢

J'aime cette mélodie triste qui parle du prisonnier

For the rest of your life, To the bars of the prison," I told her, "Dear old mama, Don't cry for me, You've gotta pray for your child, To try to save his soul, From the flames of hell."

Des gens du Québec ici? Bonjour la famille! On comprends tout!! Quelle génie cet homme!

🎶🪗 la chanson quel desoler! 🌬et jolie!! a sad and beautiful song! 🌚bon!🎻

Canray Fontenot is the GOAT!

I'm grateful that modern technology allows me to hear this - but I'm mad that the modern world doesn't allow me to walk down the street and hear someone playing and singing like this ......

One of the saddest songs of all time! Thanks for posting.

Marvelous

I love Lousiana French so much.

First couple verses are... Goodbye chère vieille mom Goodbye pauv' vieux pop Goodbye à mes frères et mes chères 'tite soeurs Moi, j'ai été condamné pour la balance de ma vie Dans les barres d'la prison Mon j'ai roulé J'm'ai mis à malfaire J'avais la tête dure, j'ai rentré dans l'tracas Asteur j'su condamné pour la balance de ma vie Dans les barres d'la prison

-Elle dit, « Mm mm -Cher petit garçon moi -Je vas jamais te revoir -Toi t'as été condamné -Pour la balance de ta vie -Dans les barres de la prison » :: -Il y a ? dit, « Chère vieille maman -Pleure pas pour moi -Il faut tu pries pour ton enfant -Pour essayer sauver son âme -De les flammes de l'enfer »

What a gem! Thank you so much!

Wonderful

Un chanson triste chantait avec une sourire.

thank you so much for uploading this!

Great great video!!!

Lovely.

La dureté de la vie traduite en une mélodie si entraînante

Thanks =) Merci =)

Ad on Instagram brought me here

Au pays des Cajuns (sud Louisiane, Lafayette, Opelousas ... etc).

I know the song is titled "prison bars". Does anyone know the lyrics?

o zou savait quand on on zou parle astheur thiel music o zou fiat moun thieu, olé fare son prière pour amdé ardouin.....en langue romane jpr de la saintonge maritime

astheur caray o zou fiat ma goule j'ai compris 95 sur cette musique continue à faire pleurer ton vioilon....tu sais le violon ce n'est pas un instrument de tricheur!!! .