The Lakes of Pontchartrain (Trad.)

It was on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu
And I took the road to Jackson town my fortune to renew
I cursed all foreign money no credit could I gain
Which filled my heart with longing for the Lakes of Pontchartrain

I climbed on board of a railroad car all in the morning sun
And I rode the rods till evening then I laid me down again
All strangers were 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's no good
If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood"
"You're welcome here kind stranger our house is very plain"
We never turn a stranger out on the Lakes of Pontchartrain

She took me to her mama's house and treated me right well
The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell
To try to paint her beauty there I'm sure would be in vain
So handsome was my Creole girl by the Lakes of Pontchartrain

I asked her would she marry me she said that ne'er could be
For she had got a lover and he was far at sea
She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain
Till he returned to his Creole girl by the lakes of Pontchartrain

So fare thee well my Creole girl I'll ne'er see no more
I'll ne'er forget your kindness in the cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering a foaming glass I'll drain
And I'll drink a health to my Creole girl on the Lakes of Pontchartrain

As recorded on #104 "Of Wind & Water"

As recorded on #126 "Capo Voodoo: Songs"

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