Traditional American Folk — The Lakes of Pontchartrain

[Verse 1] T'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 me heart with longin' for the lakes of Pontchartain [Verse 2] I stepped on board of a railroad car, beneath the morning sun And I rode the roads 'til evening and I laid me down again All strangers they're no friends to me, 'til a dark girl towards me came And I fell in love with a Creole girl, from the lakes of Pontchartrain [Verse 3] I said me 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 But we never turn a stranger out, on the banks of Pontchartrain" [Verse 4] She took me into her mammy's house, and she treated me quite well The hair upon her shoulders, in jet black ringlets fell To try and paint her beauty, I'm sure t'would be in vain So handsome was my Creole girl, from the lakes of Pontchartrain [Verse 5] I asked her if she'd marry me, she said this would never be For she had got another, and he was far at sea She said that she would wait for him, And true she would remain Until he returned to his Creole girl, from the lakes of Pontchartrain [Verse 6] So fare thee well me bonny old girl, may I never see you more I'll ne'er forget your kindness, in the cottage by the shore And at each social gathering, a flowin' glass I'll raise And I'll drink a health to me Creole girl, from the lakes of Pontchartrain