Jambalaya
Jo Stafford Lyrics
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Jambalaya
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
Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
Oh my John, the sweetest one, me-o, my-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 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 my John by the dozen
Dressed in style, go hog wild, me-o, my-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 cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Settle down far from town, get me a pirogue
Oh, I'll catch all the fish in the bayou
Swap my mon to buy my John what he need-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 cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya, hey, John
Jambalaya, hey, John
Jambalaya
The song "Jambalaya" by Jo Stafford is a classic Cajun tune that celebrates the joy of life and happiness. The lyrics describe the singer's excitement about taking part in a bayou party with his friends and family. He lists the different kinds of Cajun dishes that they will be having, including crawfish pie, filé gumbo, and jambalaya. The singer also mentions that he will be playing guitar and drinking, which will make him feel happy and carefree. He uses the phrase "ma cher amio" to address someone dear to him, perhaps a romantic partner or a close friend. As the night progresses, the singer bids farewell to some of his friends and begins a journey down the bayou with John, who is probably his lover. He expresses his love for him and his desire to settle down with him far from the town and catch some fish in the bayou.
The lyrics of "Jambalaya" celebrate the culture of Cajun people, their food, music, and way of life. The repetitive chorus, "Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo," emphasizes the importance of food in their culture. The singer's use of words like "cher" and "joie de vivre" adds an authentic Cajun flavor to the song. The line "Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou" reflects the carefree and spontaneous spirit of Cajun people, who live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Jambalaya and a crawfish, pie and filé gumbo
I'm excited to have some local Louisiana dishes for dinner tonight – Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie, and Filé Gumbo.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
I get to see my dear friend tonight and I am really excited about it!
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
We will have music, drinks and plenty of laughter tonight!
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
We are going to have a great time tonight!
Well, goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me-o, my-o
It's time to say goodbye to Joe and get going.
Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
I need to use a small boat to travel down the river.
Oh my John, the sweetest one, me-o, my-o
I have a really good friend named John.
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Our destination is buzzing with activity, and people.
Kinfolk come to see my John by the dozen
John is very popular and has many family members coming to see him.
Dressed in style, go hog wild, me-o, my-o
Everyone is dressed in their best attire and ready to have a great time.
Settle down far from town, get me a pirogue
I plan to settle down and live away from the city.
Oh, I'll catch all the fish in the bayou
I'll have time to enjoy my leisure activities, like fishing in the nearby bayou.
Swap my mon to buy my John what he need-o
I would do anything for my friend John, including using my money to buy him things he needs.
Jambalaya, hey, John
Hey John, are you excited about the Jambalaya?
Jambalaya, hey, John
Hey John, are you excited about the Jambalaya?
Jambalaya
We are looking forward to having Jambalaya tonight!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peiyingchen516
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Lyrics
A good-bye Joe, you gotta go, me oh my oh
He gotta go-pole the pirogue down the bayou
His Yvonne the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
A kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dressed in style they go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and crawfish pie and filé gumbo
For tonight, I'ma gonna see my ma cher a mio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Settle down far from town, get him a pirogue
And he'll catch all the fish in the bayou
Swap his mon to buy Yvonne what she need-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and crawfish pie, filé gumbo
For tonight, I'ma gonna see my ma cher a mio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and crawfish pie, filé gumbo
For tonight, I'ma gonna see my ma cher a mio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and crawfish pie, filé gumbo
For tonight, I'ma gonna see my ma cher a mio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and crawfish pie, filé gumbo
For tonight, I'ma gonna see my ma cher a mio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Hank Williams / Sr.
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
@bonute13
A good-bye 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, crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
'Cause tonight, I'm gonna see my ma cher ami-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'
A kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dressed in style they go hog wild, 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 cher ami-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
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 cher ami-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
@tomcummings711
I was 4 years old , I can still sing some of this Song !
@KarlBeeThree
Man does this take me back. I was a high school freshman in Monterey, CA in 1952 and they played this on the radio all the time. Memories, memories.
@jmrodas9
Nice old song I used to listen when I was a kid. I think it is still the best version of the song.
@DelilahLisa
the Best version of Jambalaya Ever. Fond childhood memories ❤ singing along with Jo Stafford.
@jamespleger752
Jo is great, but Karen Carpenter also sang an excellent version of this song ... not better, not worse, just different.
@rubygracemoseley8144
I remember the first time I heard this song it was on this 1952 CD my dad had. I instantly loved this song and have since then played it about 1000 times. And every time we hear that CD I get excited when this song comes on
@BackToTheBlues
I'm glad Paul Weston didn't let Jonathan Edwards play piano on this one.
@duanecato7072
This song is 9 years older than me but I remember my aunt Suzy plays this song for me
@rochellearmbruster5497
I remember my mother playing this when I was a toddler. (I was born way after this recording, but am the youngest in a large family, so...)
Lots of versions of this song exist, but this is the one that always stuck in my head. I'm glad I finally found it.
RIP Mama (1922-1978). I think of you when I hear this version.
@rubygracemoseley8144
This song is just pure joy. You can’t help but smile and dance and sing when you hear it! I love it so much!! It’s so much fun!