Jambalaya
Hank Williams/Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics
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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 fillet gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Thibodaux Fontaineaux the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style and go hog wild, 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
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
The song "Jambalaya" by Hank Williams is a fun, upbeat tune about a man who is saying goodbye to his girlfriend named Yvonne, and is taking a trip down the bayou to have some fun. The opening lines set the scene, with the singer exclaiming "Goodbye Joe me gotta go, me oh my oh" and declaring that he has to go pole the pirogue down the bayou. He describes Yvonne as the "sweetest one" and joyfully exclaims that they will have "big fun on the bayou".
The chorus of the song is catchy and easy to sing along to, featuring the repeated phrase "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." The singer continues to describe his trip down the bayou, noting that Thibodaux Fontaineaux (a possible reference to the town of Thibodaux, Louisiana) is buzzing with excitement as he and Yvonne's kinfolk get ready to have a good time.
Overall, "Jambalaya" is a fun, lively tune that celebrates the joys of the Louisiana bayou culture. With its upbeat guitar playing and catchy chorus, it's no wonder that it has become a classic song that is still enjoyed by audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye Joe me gotta go, me oh my oh
I have to say goodbye to Joe and leave because I have important things to do.
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
I have to go roll my flat-bottomed boat down the bayou with a long pole.
My Yvonne the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Yvonne is my sweetest and most beloved one.
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
We will have a lot of fun on the bayou.
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
We will have some traditional and delicious Cajun food.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Because I will see my dear love tonight.
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
I will play my guitar, fill up a jar with fruit and enjoy myself.
Thibodaux Fontaineaux the place is buzzin'
Thibodaux Fontaineaux is a lively place full of activity.
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
My relatives come in large numbers to see Yvonne.
Dress in style and go hog wild, me oh my oh
We will dress up and have a wild and crazy time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lili Gibson
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 cher amio
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 and go hog wild me oh my oh
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Settle down far from town get me a pirogue
And I'll catch all the fish in the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé 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
Later on, swap my mon, get me a pirogue
And I'll catch all the fish on the bayou
Swap my mon, to buy Yvonne what she need-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 cher amio
Pick guitar fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
maria coronado
A song that just makes me dance everywhere I hear it, always love it!
Myles Garcia
I've played this like 7x - 8x tonight!! Just love it!
123ubuntu666
Sure does sound like his dad. Excellent impersonation. I particularly like the way the producers have made it sound as if it was recorded 50 years earlier.
Emanuel Martins Oliveira Cardoso
Sempre bela essa canção !!!!!
John Twisdale
I love the guitar entrance in this version
joseph triola
I remember hearing this when I was very, very young; maybe 3-4 years old. I also remember that I liked it very much. I still like it.
Laura Lewis
Me too! My Mother had very eclectic taste in music... Funny how years later I would "fall in love with a city ( New Orleans of course!) I wish
I had a time machine to go back to the year I had heard this with what I know now! 🤪☹️
Desiree Coad
I never heard Jr.’s version. I love this dang song so much! ❤️
Kevin Miller
Desiree Coad-To me, Junior's version of this song is not as good as his dad's.
James Livingston
@Kevin Miller sssss