By the age of 12 Simpson was playing guitar and banjo. In 1970, Simpson dropped out of college to become a full-time professional musician, touring folk clubs. In 1976 he recorded his first solo album "Golden Vanity". In the same year he opened for Steeleye Span on their UK tour. Teaming up with June Tabor, a folk singer who didn't play an instrument, Simpson toured folk clubs and appeared at festivals. They recorded three albums together, highlighting each other's complementary talents. There was a fluid jazzy feel about their approach to traditional material.
In the 1980s he moved to America, originally to Ithaca, New York then to Santa Cruz and finally New Orleans.
Over the next ten years Simpson became more and more adventurous, playing blues, bluegrass, cajun and even Indian-inflected music. He released a series of albums right through the 1990s, eventually moving back to the UK.
In 2003 he teamed up with June Tabor again. A readers' poll of the magazine "Acoustic Guitar" voted him as number 12 in the world in 2005.
In 2007 Simpson released "Prodigal Son". The 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards voted it as best album. The fRoots critics poll voted it as the 7th best new album of 2007. It is a mixture of traditional songs and Simpson originals, the highlights of which possess a distinctly southern American flavor.
Simpson is now married to Kit Bailey, the daughter of the singer Roy Bailey, with whom Simpson occasionally performs. Martin and Kit now live in Sheffield and have a daughter.
Lakes of Ponchartrain
Martin Simpson Lyrics
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Though windfalls thick and devil's floods, my aching feet did stray.
Until at last by evening start, on higher ground I gained,
And there I met with a Creole girl, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
Good evening to you Creole girl, my money is no good,
Although I fear the gators, well I must defend the wood.
You are welcome here kind stranger, my house is very plain,
She took me to her mammy's house, and she treated me right well,
The hair around her shoulders, in them jet black ringlets fell.
I'd try to describe her beauty, but I find the words in vain,
So beautiful that Creole girl, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
Well I asked if she'd marry me, she said that could not be,
Because she loved a sailor, and he's far away at sea.
She said that she would marry him, and true she would remain,
Even through he never did comeback, to the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
So farewell farwell you Creole girl, I'll ne'er see you no more,
I'll ne'er forget your kindness, in the cottage by the shore.
And at each social gathering, a flowing glass I'd drain,
And I drink a health to the Creole girl, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain
The song "Lakes of Ponchartrain" by Martin Simpson tells the story of a traveler who meets a Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain. The singer describes his journey through difficult terrain, including streams, bogs, and windfalls, and his eventual arrival to higher ground where he meets the girl. He finds her to be beautiful and gracious, and she welcomes him into her home. The two form a connection, but the singer soon realizes that she is in love with a sailor who is far away at sea. Despite this, the singer remembers her kindness and promises to never forget her.
Line by Line Meaning
Through streams and bogs and under bush, I made my weary way,
I struggled through difficult terrain and obstacles to get to where I am now.
Though windfalls thick and devil's floods, my aching feet did stray.
I faced unexpected difficulties and obstacles along the way that caused physical pain.
Until at last by evening start, on higher ground I gained,
I finally reached higher ground and a safer place after a long and difficult journey.
And there I met with a Creole girl, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
I met a kind and hospitable local girl near the lake.
Good evening to you Creole girl, my money is no good,
I greeted her and offered to pay for her hospitality, but she refused my money.
Although I fear the gators, well I must defend the wood.
I expressed my fear of alligators in the area, but also my obligation to protect the woods during my travels.
You are welcome here kind stranger, my house is very plain,
The girl welcomed me into her modest home despite my status as a stranger.
But we never turn a stranger out, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
The locals in this community always welcome strangers in need of help.
She took me to her mammy's house, and she treated me right well,
The girl took me to her mother's home and showed me kindness and hospitality.
The hair around her shoulders, in them jet black ringlets fell.
I admired the beauty of her long black hair adorned with ringlets.
I'd try to describe her beauty, but I find the words in vain,
I struggled to put into words how truly beautiful and enchanting this girl was.
So beautiful that Creole girl, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
The girl's beauty was truly remarkable and unforgettable.
Well I asked if she'd marry me, she said that could not be,
I asked her to marry me, but she declined for a specific reason.
Because she loved a sailor, and he's far away at sea.
She was already in love with a sailor who was currently at sea.
She said that she would marry him, and true she would remain,
The girl was committed to waiting for and staying loyal to her love, even if he didn't come back.
Even through he never did comeback, to the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
Even though her sailor love never returned to her, she remained faithful and true to him.
So farewell farwell you Creole girl, I'll ne'er see you no more,
I had to say goodbye to the kind and beautiful Creole girl as I continued on my journey.
I'll ne'er forget your kindness, in the cottage by the shore.
I would always remember her hospitality and how she welcomed me into her simple home by the lake.
And at each social gathering, a flowing glass I'd drain,
I planned to commemorate the Creole girl and my time together by raising a glass in her honor at future social events.
And I drink a health to the Creole girl, by the Lakes of Pontchartrain
I would toast to the Creole girl's health and memory every time I celebrated with others, never forgetting the kindness she showed me.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MARTIN SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind