Jambalaya
Hank Williams Jr. and Hank Williams Sr. 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, crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma-chère-amie-oh
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
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
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
The first verse of this song sets the scene of someone bidding farewell to his friend, Joe, because he has to go pole his flat-bottomed fishing boat called a pirogue down the bayou to meet his lover, Yvonne. "Me-oh-my-oh" is an expression of excitement and anticipation of the fun to be had on the bayou - a swampy area that covers much of southern Louisiana. The chorus is an invitation to join in the festivities, with promises of delicious food such as jambalaya (a spicy rice dish), crawfish pie, and file gumbo. The second verse paints a picture of the excitement Yvonne's family and friends feel when they hear they're coming to visit, all dressed in their finest clothes, to have a good time on the bayou.
The final verse reveals that the singer plans to settle down on the bayou, away from the hustle and bustle of town life. He'll fish all day, catch a lot of fish, and sell them to provide for Yvonne's needs. The song is a celebration of the simple pleasures of life, good food, and good company, found on the bayou.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me-oh-my-oh
Farewell Joe, I must leave, my goodness me!
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
I must go steer my boat down the bayou.
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me-oh-my-oh
Yvonne, my sweet one, goodness gracious me!
Son-of-a-gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow! We're going to have a great time on the bayou!
Jambalaya, crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
I am going to have myself some delicious Cajun food.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma-chère amie-oh
Tonight I'll finally get to see my dear friend, oh!
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
I'll play my guitar, fill up my jar with fruit, and be happy, oh!
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux - the place is alive!
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
My relatives all come to see Yvonne in large groups.
Dress in style and go hog wild, me-oh-my-oh
Dress extravagantly and have a great time, good gracious me!
Settle down, far from town, get me a pirogue
I want to settle down away from the city and get myself a boat.
And I'll catch all the fish in the bayou
I'll catch all the fish in the bayou.
Later on, swap my mon', get me a pirogue
Later, I will exchange some money to get myself a boat.
Swap my mon', to buy Yvonne what she need-oh
Exchange my money to buy Yvonne whatever she needs, oh!
Son-of-a-gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow! We're going to have a great time on the bayou!
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie
I'm going to have myself some delicious Cajun food.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kaboomthensprinkles
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 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
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, 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(2x)
@JScott-qn6ft
I love love love this song
@felixbautista
Thank you so much!
@douglayton3498
My dad used to sing this to us when we were young. β€οΈ
@felixbautista
Thank you so much for your kind attention.
@americancajunwarrior6597
Thatβs exactly how I know this song too! π
@thehartofthegalexi8433
So did Hank Jr's.
@locklinochoa3985
The fact that he replied to all of our comments. We should all subscribe to this guy.
@felixbautista
You're such an angel Locklin... thank you ever so much.
@anthonyowsley8286
If you don't like Hank Sr or Bocephus you are missing the music bone.
@rspn
Louisianaβs national anthem