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 longin' for
The Lakes of Pontchartrain

I sat on board a railway car
Beneath the morning sun
And I rode the rails 'til evening
When I laid me down again
All strangers there, no friends to me
'Til 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 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 into her momma's house
And treated me right well
Her hair upon her shoulder
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'd marry me and she said it never would be
For she had got another and he was off at sea
She said that she would wait for him
And faithful she'd remain
Waiting for her sailor
On the Lakes of Pontchartrain

So fare you well my Bonny ol' girl
I will never see you no more
I wont forget your kindness
In that cottage by the shore
And at every social gathering
A golden glass I'll drink
And I'll drink all health to the Creole girl
On the Lakes of Pontchartrain