Fais Do-Do (Cajun Lullaby)

Louisiana has a lullaby tradition unlike anywhere else, where French roots meet African-American rhythm in the cradle of jazz. French-speaking settlers brought the old Fais dodo with them from France, but here it grew a gently swaying, syncopated Cajun lilt of its own — and Catin became an affectionate Cajun word for a little doll. The words “fais do-do” (“go beddy-bye”) even gave their name to the famous fais-dodo country dances, where parents tucked their babies to sleep in a quiet side room while the band played on softly into the night.