The Be Good Tanyas – The Lakes Of Pontchartrain

It was on one fine march morning when I bid New Orleans adieu
And I was on the road to Jackson town my fortunes to renew
I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain
Which filled my heart with longing for the lakes of Pontchartrain

I sat onboard a railway car beneath the morning sun
And I rode the rails ‘till evening when I lay me down again
Ah strangers they’re no friends to me till a dark girl towards me came
And I fell in love with a Creole girl on the lakes of Pontchartrain

I said my pretty Creole girl my money here is no go
If it weren’t for the alligators I would sleep out in the woods
You’re welcome here kind stranger our house is very plain
But we never turn a stranger out on the lakes of Pontchartrain

She took me out to her mama’s house and treated me right well
Her hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell
To try to paint her beauty I’m sure would be in vain
So handsome was my Creole girl on the lakes of Pontchartrain

I asked her would she marry me and she said it never would be
For she had got a lover and he was off at sea
She said that she would wait for him, that faithful she remained
Waiting for her sailor on the lakes of Pontchartrain

So fair you well my bonny ol’ girl, I may never see you no more
I won’t forget your kindness in that cottage by the shore
At every social gathering a golden glass I drink
And I’ll drink all health to the Creole girl on the lakes of Pontchartrain.