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 Pontchartain

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 out 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 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 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 fair thee well my bonny old girl
I may never see you no more
I won't forget your kindness in that cottage by the shore
And at every social gathering a golden glass I'll drain
And I'll drink all health to the Creole girl
on the Lakes of Pontchartrain