The Search for Marie Leveau

I love to walk the coast line and hear the ocean, sometimes in a whisper others in a triumphant shout. It dances along the shoreline. I also like to head to the area state parks and walk the trails in search of wildlife.....and Marie Leveau. That is huge with my children. It is a must when we go down to go to a swampy area and search for "her". Please don't read more into it than what it is and give me a tongue lashing. Marie Leveau, while she was an actual person involved in "bad things", to the children-as she was to me as a child- she is something of "Boogie Man" persona. Haven't you heard of Marie Leveau? I loved the Bobby Bear song as a child, as I was always (and still am) drawn to mysteries. She is a mystery of great folk lore and legend. I always found the song to be mysterious and kind of spooky. Much like I did "The Witch Doctor". Both of these tunes from my childhood, are also a part of my children's childhood memories. Thus, it is where the hunt for Marie was conjured up. It is also a great way to get the kids to join me in a day of exercise, but they haven't caught on yet. Many times they now pull me down the trail. My children were listening to the song about the swamp as we made our way for a day of hiking. Then while we were hiking on a swampy trail and the younger two decided to were on the hunt for Marie. My oldest had to stir the pot by making shriek noises in an attempt to scare the younger ones. Thus is routine now. It is memories we are making, traditions. It is moments like these that I love to be on the coast.Here are the lyrics of the song. My children find it very humorous.

Marie Leveau

Down in Louisiana where the black trees grow lives a voodoo lady named Marie Leveau
She got a black cat tooth and a mojo bone and anyone wouldn't leave her alone
She go (greeeeeee) another man done gone
She lives in a swamp in a hollow log with a one eyed snake and a three legged dog
She got a bent bony body and stringy hair And if she ever seen you all messin' round there
She go (greeeeeee) another man done gone
And then one night when the moon was black into the swamp come Handsome Jack
A no good man like you all know when he was lookin' around for Marie Leveau
He said Marie Leveau you lovely witch gimme little charm that'll make me rich
Gimme million dollars and I tell you what I'll do this very night I'm gonna marry you
And it'll be ummmmmmm another man done gone
So Marie done some magic and she shook a little sand Made a million dollars
and she put it in his hands Then she giggled and she wiggled
and she said hey heyI'm gettin' ready for my weddin' day
But ol' Handsome Jack he said goodbye Marie
You're too darn ugly for a rich man like me
Then Marie started numblin' her fangs started gnashin'
Her body started tremblin' and her eyes started flashin'
And she went (greeeeeee) another man done gone
So if you ever get down where the black trees grow
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Leveau
If she ever asks you to make her your wife Man you better stay with her for the rest of your life Or it'll be (oheeeeeee) another man done gone

Go here to listen to the song sample, perhaps you will recall: http://music.yahoo.com/track/1260170

So, next time you find yourself walking through a wooded swampy area, beware of the lady that lives in a log and on the hunt for a man....or it'll be (oheeeeeee) another man done gone!