Down in Lou´siana where the black trees grow
Live a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau.
She got a black cat tooth and a mojo bone,
And anyone wouldn´t leave her alone.
She go GREEEEEEEEEEEE…
Another man done gone.

She live 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 messin´ round there,
She go GREEEEEEEEEEEE…
Another man done gone.

Shel Silverstein sure knew how to write ’em. Those are the beginning lyrics to the Shel Silverstein and Baxter Taylor penned hit for Bobby Bare, “Marie Laveau.”

Growing up in the New Orleans area, we kids were made well aware of Marie Laveau. As soon as we were able, we made pilgrimages to the gravesite to gawk at living proof she actually existed. (As if any kid would ever doubt the veracity of his parents…) Notice the “x” marks on the tomb; they are put there for good luck. (Things are a-changing, though, and not everyone is happy about that.)

Since I know one of the three of you regular readers is deeply interested in bizarre magick, I thought I’d mention New Orleans’ Times Picayune newspaper ran a story on Marie written by TP staff writer Lynne Jensen.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.