Hobo Bertrand and His French Accordion- Starvation Waltz

                                              
Oscar "Coteaux" Bertrand was born in Elton in 1911 and played country dances in the 1930's with Percy Fuselier and friends. Oscar was known to sit in with numerous bands following World War II, but did not play in a formal band.

In the late 1950's he recorded for Eddie Shuler's Goldband record label. He recorded "Starvation Waltz" and "Tite Villain Manniere" in Lake Charles at Goldband studio. The 45 rpm would be his only release on the label.

Theres lyrics to the song in Yé Yaille Chère by Raymond K Francois. Oscar's version is similar but has some different lyrics.

Tu m’as pris de la maison
Pour m’amener dans les grand bois
Pour m’amener dans les grand bois
Pour combattre la misère 
Et pleurer de la crève de faim. 

J’ai passé en avant 
La porte de ton papa
Ton papa était assis dessous un arbre 
Après chacoter de la misère 
Et pleurer de la crève de faim. 

J’ai passé en avant
La porte de ta maman 
Ta maman était assis sur la galerie 
Après radoter de la misère 
Et pleurer de la crève de faim.

The melody is similar to "La Valse du Cimetière" and was later recorded as "Les Blues de Creve de Faim" by BeauSoleil.

In the early 1970's the Longshoremen Playboys were formed consisting of Oscar Bertrand and Emory LaPoint. They played a few local dances and released one record.

No one really knows where he got the nickname "Hobo". One can speculate that it was a name Eddie Shuler came up with for Oscar's recording on Goldband. It could be a sound alike for his nickname "Coteaux".
                                     
HOBO BERTRAND
AND HIS FRENCH ACCORDION (1063, 1163)
Oscar Bertrand (v/acdn) with possibly Emory LaPoint (g), remainder unknown
Goldband Studio, Lake Charles LA; c1957
-1 (SO 1114) Starvation waltz Goldband 1063,
1163
CDCHM519
-2 (SO 1115) Tite villain Manniere Gb 1063. 1163

Resources
Ron Yule-Cajun Dancehall Heyday
thanks to Smith Stickney