Jambalaya
Ann Breen Lyrics
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We gotta go, pole the pirogue down the Bayou
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we′ll have big fun on the Bayou.
Well Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Cause tonight I'm a gonna see my ma cher ami-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
(Instumental)
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dressed in style they go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou.
Well Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Cause tonight I′m a gonna see my ma cher ami-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we′ll have big fun on the Bayou.
(Instrumental)
Well Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Cause tonight I'm a gonna see my ma cher ami-o
Dressed in style they go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we′ll have big fun on the Bayou
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou.
"Jambalaya" is a classic song by Ann Breen that tells the story of a group of friends who are heading to the Bayou for a night of fun. The first verse explains that they are saying goodbye to a friend named Joe and heading down the Bayou in a pirogue (a small, flat-bottomed boat) with the singer's sweetheart, Yvonne. The second verse talks about the Cajun cuisine they will be enjoying, including jambalaya, a crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. The line "ma cher ami-o" translates to "my dear friend" in French, showing the influence of the Cajun culture in the song. The last verse describes the party atmosphere of Thibodaux and Fontaineaux, where Yvonne's relatives are waiting for them. They are dressed in their best outfits and ready to have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye, Joe, we gotta go, me oh my oh
Farewell, Joe, we must depart, oh my goodness
We gotta go, pole the pirogue down the Bayou
We must travel down the Bayou in a canoe using a pole
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
My beloved Yvonne, the most endearing, oh my goodness
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou.
Great joy will be had on the Bayou, golly
Well Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo will be enjoyed
Cause tonight I'm a gonna see my ma cher ami-o
For I will see my dear friend tonight
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Strum the guitar, fill a jar with fruit, and be merry
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, there is much excitement
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Relatives come in large numbers to see Yvonne
Dressed in style they go hog wild, me oh my oh
Dressed elegantly, they become ecstatic, oh my goodness
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou.
Great joy will be had on the Bayou, golly
Well Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo will be enjoyed
Cause tonight I'm a gonna see my ma cher ami-o
For I will see my dear friend tonight
Dressed in style they go hog wild, me oh my oh
Dressed elegantly, they become ecstatic, oh my goodness
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou
Great joy will be had on the Bayou, golly
Writer(s): Williams
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.