Louisiana Troubadour for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts

Jay Chevalier

Adopted in 2006

Jay Chevalier (Mar. 4, 1936 - ) is a singer and songwriter from Louisiana who has achieved success in several musical genres over four decades. To people outside of Louisiana, Chevalier is most noted as one of the early pioneers of rockabilly music, but he is perhaps more famous to the citizens of the bayou state for his popular songs based on politics, sports, and his love for the state. His legacy includes being named the first Official State Troubadour of Louisiana and as an inductee to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.

Louisiana Troubadour for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts: Jay Chevalier

Come Back to Louisiana was re-recorded in 2006 to encourage victims of Hurricane Katrina to return home and to rebuild. The Louisiana Legislature adopted it as the official state song in 2006, giving Louisiana, already the only state with two state songs - You Are My Sunshine by former Gov. Jimmie Davis and Give Me Louisiana - three official ballads. Chevalier, who now lives in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, had his office flooded and his home suffered tree damage during Hurricane Katrina. Somehow, it seems only natural that he would remake Come Back to Louisiana and end up singing it a cappella to the Louisiana Legislature. He still performs several times a year and has performed for two international festivals in England: the Hemsby Festival (2005) and the Americana Festival (2006).

Louisiana Law

The law designating the song, "Come Back to Louisiana", a musical composition with lyrics and music by Jay Chevalier and Bobby Attwood as the official Louisiana state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort; official state troubadour is found in the Louisiana Statutes, Title 49, Section RS 49:170.14

TITLE 49 - State administration
RS 49:170.14 - State song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort; official state troubadour

Universal Citation: LA Rev Stat § 49:170.14

RS 49:170.14

§170.14. State song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort; official state troubadour

A. There shall be an official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort. The official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort shall be "Come Back to Louisiana", a musical composition with lyrics and music by Jay Chevalier and Bobby Attwood; the lyrics reading as follows:

Since you left me the

tears are fallin'

Can't you hear my lips a callin'

Come back come back to Louisiana

Katrina/Rita caused this aching

It's my heart you're breakin'

Come back come back to Louisiana

Nothin' seems right

No days just nights

Don't you know I'm lonely

And I want you only

My pirogue' don't pole the same

Some times I don't know my name

Come back come back to Louisiana

Some times I think I'm dying

Even the willow trees are cryin'

Come back come back to Louisiana

B. Jay Chevalier shall be known as the official state troubadour for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts as he travels the world bringing awareness of the destruction caused by the hurricanes and the continuing needs of the people of Louisiana.

Acts 2006, No. 200, §1.