Born Ida Lee Lewis to a musically talented family in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Queen Ida learned to play accordion from her mother after she spent a few years learning the piano. Her family moved to Beaumont, Texas, when she was ten and eight years later moved to San Francisco, California. Her first language is French, and wherever they went, took their Creole culture and music with them.
In 1988, Queen Ida toured Japan, becoming the first zydeco artist to do so. She toured Africa the following year and in 1990 went to Australia and New Zealand.
On the album Back on the Bayou (1999), Queen Ida got together on the bayou in Louisiana with her brother, Al Rapone, for a zydeco reunion. Rapone often wrote and produced for her and formed the Bon Temps Zydeco Band, which later became Queen Ida's backup group. Doubling up on accordions with her oldest son Myrick "Freeze" Guillory, they are joined by Terry Buddingh on bass, James Santiago on guitar, Bernard Anderson on saxophone, Erik Nielsen on drums, and her youngest daughter Ledra Guillory and son Ron "The Rock" Guillory on rub board and vocals. As "Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band," the ensemble was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on November 23, 1985, with Paul Reubens as host.
Queen Ida also co-authored a cookbook, Cookin' with Queen Ida in 1990, which featured Creole recipes.
Queen Ida continued to perform live through the 2000s, and though she did not release any albums during this period, she has joined her son Myrick and his band onstage. She officially retired from playing in 2010 and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she enjoys cooking for her friends and family.
Selected discography
1999 Back on the Bayou w/Al Rapone Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2265
1995 Cookin' with Queen Ida Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2197
1995 On a Saturday Night Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2172
1994 Mardi Gras Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2227
1990 Zydeco a La Mode Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNP 2112
1985 Caught in the Act Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2181
1983 In San Francisco Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2158
1982 The Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band on Tour Zydeco GNP Crescendo - GNPD 2147
1980 The Bon Temps Zydeco Band & Queen Ida in New Orleans' Zydeco GNP Crescendo -
1977 Uptown Zydeco Zydeco GNP Crescendo
1977 Zydeco a la mode Zydeco GNP Crescendo
1976 Play the Zydeco Zydeco GNP Crescendo
Awards
Grammy Awards
Won: 1
Nominations: 4
1980 Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording Queen Ida & the Bon Temps Zydeco Band in New Orleans Zydeco Nominated
1982 Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band on Tour Zydeco Winner
Blues Music Awards
Won: 4
Nominations: 6
Queen Ida Blues Music Awards History
1983 Traditional Blues Female Artist Nominated
1984 Traditional Blues Female Artist Nominated
1988 Traditional Blues Female Artist Nominated
1989 Traditional Blues Female Artist Winner
1990 Traditional Blues Female Artist Winner
1991 Traditional Blues Female Artist Nominated
When The Saints Go Marching In
Queen Ida & Her Zydeco Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Dear Lord, I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Oh, when the sun refuse to shine
Oh, when the sun refuse to shine
Dear Lord I want to be in that number
Oh when they crown Him Lord of All
Oh when they crown Him Lord of All
Dear Lord, I want to be in that number
When they crown Him Lord of All
Oh, when they gather 'round the throne
Oh, when they gather 'round the throne
Dear Lord, I want to be in that number
When they gather 'round the throne
Queen Ida's song "When The Saints Go Marching In" is a spiritual song that reflects on the hope of witnessing the second coming of Jesus Christ. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer's desire to be among the saints when they march into heaven. The first stanza of the song talks about the joy of being among the saints when they march into heaven. The singer expresses her deep desire to identify with the saints who would be in that number.
The second stanza of the song is a slight variation of the first. It speaks to the inevitability of judgment day and how the singer wants to be among those who would be saved. The sun represents life, and to state that the singer wants to be among the saints when the sun refuses to shine portrays her desire to be among the saved regardless of life's circumstances.
The third stanza speaks of the moment when Jesus Christ would be crowned Lord of all. The singer desires to be among the saints when that unprecedented and joyous event occurs. The song's final verse talks about the moment when angels would surround the throne, and the redeemed would gather around it. The singer wants to be among them.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, when the saints go marching in
I long to join the march of the righteous
Dear Lord, I want to be in that number
Please allow me to be a part of their company
When the saints go marching in
When those virtuous souls pass into Heaven
Oh, when the sun refuse to shine
Even if nature itself betrays us
When the sun refuse to shine
When the created order fails
Oh when they crown Him Lord of All
When Christ is finally and rightfully exalted
When they crown Him Lord of All
When every knee bows and every tongue confesses Jesus as Lord
Oh, when they gather 'round the throne
When the Host of Heaven assembles
When they gather 'round the throne
When the Celestial Court convenes
Lyrics © NATOARTS LIMITED
Written by: TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind