Locklin was one of country music's early honky tonk singers. He first recorded for Royalty, a small label in northeast Texas, but soon moved to 4 Star Records, a regional country music label, before signing a long contract with RCA Victor. He had an estimated 15 million record sales worldwide and his songs were recorded by many other artists, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Rogers, Dwight Yoakam and Dean Martin. He regularly appeared on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1960, making his final appearance in 2007.
Locklin had 70 chart singles, including six No. 1s on Billboard's country chart. Locklin's biggest hits included "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On", "Geisha Girl" and his signature "Please Help Me, I'm Falling", which went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard's 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Other hits for Locklin included "Happy Journey" (1961), "Happy Birthday To Me" (1962) and "The Country Hall Of Fame" (1968).
Born in McLellan in the Florida Panhandle, Locklin grew up working in the cotton fields to supplement his family’s low income. He began playing the guitar at the age of nine after being seriously injured by a school bus.
His first marriage to Willa Jean Murphy ended in divorce. In 1970 he married Anita Crooks of Brewton, Alabama. He had a son and four daughters, 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a few close great nieces and nephews such as Sarah Locklin.
In the 1960s, Locklin built a ranch house called The Singing L in the field in McClellan where he had picked cotton as a boy. He was later made the honorary mayor of the town.
Locklin had a strong following in Europe, and in Ireland. His popularity was such that in 1963 he recorded an album called Irish Songs Country Style. He has a fan club in Langeli, Bjerkreim, Norway. The obituary in The Times described Locklin as "the last remaining link between country music’s hillbilly roots and the lusher, modern pop sound of Nashville."
In 2006, Locklin appeared on the PBS special, Country Pop Legends in which he performed "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On," and "Please Help Me I'm Falling". Until his death at the age of 91 in 2009, he was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank had recently released his 65th album, By the Grace of God, a collection of gospel songs.
In 2007 he was inducted to the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
He moved to Brewton Alabama, where he remained throughout his later years, and died there at home in the early morning on March 8, 2009.
Jambalaya
Hank Locklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 fillet gumbo
Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar fill fruit jar and be gay-o son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
[ strings ]
Thibodaux Fontaineaux the place is buzzin' kin folk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie...
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
In Hank Locklin's song "Jambalaya," the lyrics depict a joyful and lively scene in the Louisiana bayou. The singer bids farewell to Joe and declares that he must go and navigate his boat down the bayou. He expresses his love for Yvonne, calling her the sweetest one. The phrase "Son of a gun" is used to express excitement and anticipation. The singer looks forward to having a great time on the bayou, enjoying traditional Louisiana cuisine such as jambalaya, crawfish pie, and fillet gumbo. He plans to indulge in music by playing the guitar, sipping from a fruit jar, and being merry. The line "Dress in style and go hog wild" suggests that the people in the bayou are dressing up and having a wild and carefree time.
Overall, the song celebrates the vibrant culture, cuisine, and spirit of the Louisiana bayou, emphasizing the importance of music, food, and having a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye Joe me gotta go me oh my oh me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
Farewell Joe, I must depart, oh my, I must hurry and navigate the small boat down the river
My Yvonne the sweetest one me oh my oh
My Yvonne, the most endearing person, oh my
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we will surely have an amazing time in the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
Enjoying a traditional Louisiana dish called Jambalaya, along with a crawfish pie and a delicious fillet gumbo
Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Because tonight I will meet my dear friend
Pick guitar fill fruit jar and be gay-o son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Playing the guitar, filling up a jar with fruits, and having a joyful time, oh wow, we will definitely enjoy ourselves in the bayou
[ strings ]
Thibodaux Fontaineaux the place is buzzin' kin folk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Thibodaux Fontaineaux is a lively place, relatives are coming in large numbers to visit Yvonne
Dress in style and go hog wild me oh my oh
Dressed in fancy attire and having a wild, exhilarating time, oh my
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we will surely have an amazing time in the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie...
Enjoying a traditional Louisiana dish called Jambalaya, along with a crawfish pie...
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we will surely have an amazing time in the bayou
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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