A New Single from Father Ron & Friends (Ron Clingenpeel ’78)

Father Ron (Clingenpeel ’78) and Friends have released a new single, “Bayou Goula Ball”, available on Spotify and all music platforms.

The song is inspired by the story of Loop-garou, or Rougarou, the mythical creature that inhabits the swamps and cane fields of South Louisiana. A werewolf type of creature, stories of the Rougarou were used to scare Cajun children into obeyance. Another legend says that the creature will hunt down Roman Catholics who don’t follow the rules of Lent. The legend also says that the blood sucking animal remains under the spell for 101 days before reverting back to a human. Once a month all the Rougarou gather at Bayou Goula for an overnight party, and hence this is the story of that monthly gala – the Bayou Goula Ball.

Couched in the eerie setting of a Louisiana swamp, Bayou Goula Ball recounts the story of the Rougarou, the need to stir up some evil, have some fun and catch an unsuspecting human off guard. Don’t go anywhere without some rice and salt to keep the Rougarou away from biting you. For those who know about the legends, the song is a reminder to mind where you walk and to behave; whereas for those who are new to the story, it is an overview of one of the beloved mythical creatures in Cajun lore.