Jambalaya
Cash/Lewis Lyrics

The song Jambalaya is a classic Cajun tune written by Hank Williams in 1952, which tells the story of a man named Joe who must say goodbye to all his friends, including his beloved Yvonne because he must work on the bayou. The song is an energetic, upbeat ditty in which the singer tells the story of the Cajun culture, describing the food, music, and activities of the area.

The first verse begins with the words, "Good-bye, Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh." This is addressed to Joe's friend, who he is leaving behind in order to go work on the bayou. The singer then describes "pole[ing] the pirogue down the bayou" with Yvonne, the "sweetest one" being the reason for Joe's frequent trips. The phrase "Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou" is repeated several times throughout the song, highlighting the lighthearted and fun nature of the Cajun culture.

In the second verse, the singer describes the food, "Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo," which is often prepared and consumed at gatherings in the area. The singer also mentions his friend, Ma Cher Amio, whom he's going to see that night. The phrase "Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o" is repeated, emphasizing the importance of music and the consumption of alcohol during festive gatherings.

The third verse mentions the town of Thibodaux and the Fontaineaux, where kinfolk gather to see Yvonne. The singer describes the crowd as "dress[ing] in style and go[ing] hog wild." The final verse concludes with the singer settling down, catching fish, and swapping money to provide for Yvonne, which will ensure that they continue to have "big fun on the bayou."