Jambalaya
Gerd Böttcher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 good fun on the bayou.
Chorus:
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file' gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
--- Instrumental ---
Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style, go hog wild, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.
Chorus:
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file' gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou...
The song "Jambalaya" by Gerd Böttcher is a cover of the original song by Hank Williams. The lyrics capture the excitement of a man named Joe who is leaving his lover Yvonne to go down the bayou, and he'll be back with some delicious food like crawfish pie and file' gumbo. The chorus repeats the phrase "Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou" as a promise of good times to come.
The song begins with "Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh," which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. It's clear that Joe is on a mission, and he's not going to let anything get in his way. He's going to pole the pirogue down the bayou to get to his destination. He describes his lover Yvonne as "the sweetest one" and it's clear that he's looking forward to returning to her after his journey. The chorus is where the excitement really starts to build. Joe promises that he'll have big fun on the bayou, and the listener can feel his enthusiasm and anticipation.
The second verse introduces new characters Thibodeaux and Fontainbleau, who are likely friends of Yvonne. They come to see her "by the dozen," and everyone is dressed up and ready to have a good time. The phrase "go hog wild" suggests that they're ready to let loose and enjoy themselves. Once again, the chorus repeats the promise of big fun on the bayou.
Overall, the song is a celebration of life and good times. It's about having fun with friends and loved ones, enjoying delicious food, and experiencing the joy of being alive. The catchy melody and upbeat tempo make it a classic that continues to be enjoyed today.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh
Farewell Joe, I must depart, oh my goodness
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
I must steer the boat down the river
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh, my oh
My beloved Yvonne, the most charming of all
Son of a gun, we'll have good fun on the bayou.
We will have a blast on the river.
Chorus:
Recurring refrain
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file' gumbo
Jambalaya, a dish with crawfish and file' gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Because tonight I will see my dear friend
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Play guitar, fill the jar with fruit and be cheerful
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.
We will have lots of fun on the river.
--- Instrumental ---
Music interlude
Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is buzzin'
Thibodeaux and Fontainbleau are bustling with excitement
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Relatives come in droves to visit Yvonne
Dress in style, go hog wild, me oh, my oh
Dress fashionably and enjoy oneself extravagantly, oh my goodness
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.
We will have lots of fun on the river.
Chorus:
Recurring refrain
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file' gumbo
Jambalaya, a dish with crawfish and file' gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Because tonight I will see my dear friend
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Play guitar, fill the jar with fruit and be cheerful
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou...
We will have lots of fun on the river.
Writer(s): Hank Williams Sr Copyright: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.