Original Breaux Frères version
Jolie Blonde, 'gardez donc, quoi t'as fait
Tu m'as quitté pour t'en aller
Pour t'en aller avec un autre, oui, que moi
Quel espoir et quel av'nir mais moi je peux avoir
Jolie blonde, tu m'as laissé moi tout seul
Pour t'en aller chez ta famille
Si t'aurais pas ecouté tous les conseils de les autres
Tu serais ici avec moi aujourd'hui
Jolie blonde, tu croyais il y avait juste toi
Il y'a pas juste toi dans le pays pour moi aimer
Je va's trouver juste une autre jolie blonde
Bon Dieu sait, moi, j'aime tant
JOLE BLON is a traditional Cajun waltz. The earliest recording of the song is believed to be a 1928 version by the Atlanta, GA family trio Breaux Frères (Amadie Breaux, his brother Ophy Breaux, and his sister Cleoma Breaux) titled "Ma Blonde Est Partie", which translates to "My Blonde Is Gone". The song was released in 1973 on the various artists album Louisiana Cajun Music Vol. 5: The Early Years 1928-1938 (Old-Timey Records, catalogue # 114). The above lyrics are for the original Breaux Frères version of JOLE BLON as recorded in 1928.
Bruce Springsteen recorded JOLE BLON in studio with the E Street Band in early 1980 and also recorded a version as a duo with Gary U.S. Bonds which was released on Bonds' 1981 album Dedication. He also occasionally performed the song live from 1981 onwards. See the Gary U.S. Bonds' album version for more details.
The Gary U.S. Bonds and Bruce Springsteen version of JOLE BLON has almost nothing in common, lyrically or musically, with the earlier Cajun versions. The traditional ditty was rewritten in 1946 by Harry Choates who had a major hit with his version, titled "Jole Blon". Moon Mullican had a hit with a country version of the song in 1947, also titled "Jole Blon". None of these versions had much in common with the Springsteen/Bonds version. However, country legend Roy Acuff's version, titled "(Our Own) Jole Blon", has lyrical similarities to the Springsteen/Bonds version.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for some of the above info.
List of available versions of JOLE BLON on this website:
JOLE BLON [Gary U.S. Bonds' album version]