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Alternate titles include Louisiana Lullaby, Dreamland Opens Here, Song of the Crocodile/Alligator. Most sources assert this is a Cajun folk song, while this source doubts its Cajun origins.
Lyrics - Creole French
(Cajun folk song from Louisiana, U.S.)
Gué-gué Solingaie,
balliez chimin-là,
M’a dis li, oui, m’a dis li,
Calbasse, li connain parler!
Calbasse, il connain parler!
Gué-gué Solingaie,
balliez chimin-là,
M’a dis li, oui, m’a dis li,
Cocodril, li connain chanter!
Cocodril, il connain chanter!
Gué-gué Solingaie,
balliez chimin-là,
M’a dis li, oui, m’a dis li,
Pichou, li connain trangler!
Pichou, li connain trangler!
Singable English (Loose) Translation
Dreamland opens here,
Sweep the dream-path clear.¹
Listen child, now listen well,
What the tortoise may have to tell
What the tortoise may have to tell.
Dreamland opens here,
Sweep the dream-path clear.
Listen child, dear little child,
To the song of the crocodile,
To the song of the crocodile.
Dreamland opens here,
Sweep the dream-path clear.
Listen child, now close your eyes,
In the canebrake² the wildcat cries,
In the canebrake the wildcat cries
1 = This refers to clearing the child’s mind before dreaming.
2 = Canebrake = thicket of cane. (source)
YouTube
- PDF of song with chords
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody
