"Lakes Of Pontchartrain" lyrics - AOIFE O'DONOVAN

It was on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu
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 longin' for the Lakes of Pontchartain

Well I stepped on board the railroad car beneath the morning sun
And I rode the rails all evening and laid me down again
All strangers there no friends to me 'til a dark girl towards me cam
And I fell in love with a Creole girl by the Lakes of Pontchartrain

Well I said my pretty Creole girl, my money here's no good
And if it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood
You're welcome here kind stranger, our house it's very plain
But we never turn a stranger out on the banks of Pontchartrain

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

Well I asked her if she'd marry me, she'd said this could never be
For she had got a lover and he was far at sea
She said that she would wait for him and true that she would remain
'Til he returned for his Creole girl by the Lakes of Pontchartrain

So fair thee well my creole o' girl I never see no more
But I'll never forget your kindness, your cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering a flowin' glass I'll drain
And drink a health to me Creole girl by the Lakes of Pontchartrain