Lyrics for "Big Mamu"

Don Townsend · Post by **Don Townsend** » 15 Apr 2001 4:12 am

The Frenchy Burke tune---anybody got'em? Thx!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Apr 2001 4:51 am

I checked a couple of songs sites, including cowpie, and didn't see it.

Jimmy C Newman does that song and may even recorded it before Frency. Jimmy usually does it both in english and cajun french.

Don Townsend · Post by **Don Townsend** » 15 Apr 2001 8:51 am

Thanks, Jack. I also looked on Cowpie, Maries, etc and couldn't find it. Heh, heh---I'd forgotten about Jimmie C Newman doing it as well-- thanks a lot for reinforcing the Onset of OldTimers!!! Anyway, I'm sure somebody will have them. It's 34 above and snowing lightly here in the mountains today. Don't you miss the North, Jack?<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Don Townsend on 15 April 2001 at 12:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

Don Townsend · Post by **Don Townsend** » 15 Apr 2001 11:29 am

Still lookin'

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 15 Apr 2001 2:26 pm

the english version of big mamou was written and first recorded by link davis in 1952, when link doubled on sax and fiddle in benny leader's band, with dusty stewart on steel.

other 1950s versions were by jack shook, ella mae morse and rusty draper. in the 60s and later,it was done by newman, walter haynes, the everly brothers, joe barry, burke, clifton chenier, commander cody, waylon jennings. jody nix, and no doubt others.

i don't know how far back the song actually goes--harry choates recorded a french language version in the 40s, but the song was a cajun standard even then.

here is all i have:

Why'd you go and leave me in Big Mamou,
You went away and left me alone and so blue,
Hay HaHa, Baby come on back, Come on back
and live with me in Big Mamou.

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 15 Apr 2001 6:53 pm

Jimmy C. Newman often sings the third and fourth line this way:

"Please come back, oh Cherie come on back
Make me happy, live with me in Big Mamou."

I guess it's according to how "French" he happens to feel on any particular show.

Tim R.

Don Townsend · Post by **Don Townsend** » 15 Apr 2001 8:04 pm

Thanks, guys. Some great history there, Mitch. Looks like I'm going to have to start spending my winters in Florida with Jim & Jack--78 & sunny? I can't stand it. We've had several recent dumps of snow here in the mountains, and there's a lot left on the ground. Although the temperature is relatively warm, it still looks a lot like winter here. Spring is unnusually late getting here. Thanks again for digging up the words for that song. Somehow, I thought there was more to it. It's funny how you remember things differently the older you get!!!

sylvainvallieres · Post by **sylvainvallieres** » 16 Apr 2001 6:38 am

O ça allait ben sacrament
jolie mame jolie fille
moi oh connais mais lui pas ça
et ha ! ha! et milan
oh mais moi m'en va monter seul a grand mamou

Why did you go and leave me in big mamou
you let me for another alone and so blue
please come back,oh come back
I know what I say and I didn't not say that go

music

How come your home from big mamou
can't you ear me a laft clearly
callin for you
hey ha! ha! ou la la
hurry hurry home to your lonely papa

music

Oh ça allait ben sacrament
jolie mame jolie fille
moi oh connais mais lui pas ça
et ha! ha! et milan
oh mais moi m'en va monter seul a grand mamou

Why did you go and leave me in big mamou
you let me for another alone and so blue
I know what I say and I didn't not say that
come back and love me in big mamou

music

Why did you know way and leave me in big mamou
you let me for another alone and so blue
oh la la ou la la
come on home to lonely papa

I know what I say
I know what I do I didn't say I do that in a big mamou
I did not say that in a big mamou

I hope I can help ,I'm French Canadian and I hope my write is O.K

Don Townsend · Post by **Don Townsend** » 16 Apr 2001 7:56 am

Tres bien, et merci, mon ami Sylvain!!