Sarah Gertrude Knott introduces La Guiannée at an early National Folk Festival 

National Council for the Traditional Arts and National Folk Festival founder Sarah Gertrude Knott introduces a group performing La Guiannée-centuries-old singing tradition with roots in Canada and France, practiced during New Year’s Eve by Illinois and Missouri/St.Louis-based communities with said descendancy. As part of the tradition, on New Years’ Eve, people would go house to house singing the Guiannée song (also spelled Guillanee or La Guillonée), and would, in turn be offered food and drinks-much like Christmas or holiday caroling. The group presented by Gertrude Knott in the clip traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, from Bloomsdale in Missouri’s Ste. Genevieve County. Some of the known members of the ensemble included Robert Carron (leader), Jesse Drury (guitarist), and Leo Joggerst (fiddler).
While the audio is grainy, as it was recorded during an early National Folk Festival over 70 years ago, one can still appreciate the performers’ energy, perhaps even make out song lyrics, and the audience's claps and engaged responses.