Jambalaya
Fats Domino Lyrics


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Goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me-oh, my-oh
Me 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

Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma chère amie-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou

Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style, go hog wild and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou

Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma chère amie-o




Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou

Overall Meaning

This song is a celebration of life in the bayous of Louisiana, which are filled with music, dancing, and delicious food. The singer, who goes by the name of Joe, is bidding farewell to his friends and loved ones because he has to travel down the bayou by boat. His sweetheart Yvonne is the sweetest person he knows, and he can't wait to see her again. Along the way, he enjoys some of his favorite foods, including jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. He also plays his guitar and passes around a fruit jar filled with liquor, enjoying life to the fullest. The people he meets along the way are all dressed up and happy, eager to have a good time.


The song is a celebration of Cajun culture, which has its roots in the French-speaking Acadian communities of Nova Scotia. The Cajuns were forced to leave Canada in the mid-18th century and ended up settling in Louisiana, where they blended their French heritage with elements of African, Caribbean, and Native American cultures. The result was a unique and vibrant culture that has produced some of America's most iconic music, including jazz, blues, and swamp pop. Fats Domino was one of the most important figures in the development of this music, and "Jambalaya" is one of his most enduring hits.


Line by Line Meaning

Goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me-oh, my-oh
Farewell, Joe, I must depart now, oh my


Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
I must go, rowing the boat along the bayou


My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me-oh, my-oh
My dearest Yvonne, the sweetest woman I know


Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we're going to have a great time in the bayou!


Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo


'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma chère amie-o
Because tonight I'm going to see my dear friend


Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Play guitar, fill up the jar with fruit and be happy


Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the town is busy


Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Relatives are coming to visit Yvonne in large numbers


Dress in style, go hog wild and be gay-o
Get dressed up, party hard and be happy


Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we're going to have a great time in the bayou!


Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
Jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo


'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma chère amie-o
Because tonight I'm going to see my dear friend


Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Play guitar, fill up the jar with fruit and be happy


Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we're going to have a great time in the bayou!




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Ola Edvard Myhre


on Put Your Arms Around Me Honey

This is NOT Fats Domino !!!!

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