Jambalaya
Tab Benoit Lyrics


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Goodbye Joe, I got to go, me oh, my oh
I got to go, pull the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne, she's the sweetest one, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou

Said, jambalaya, craw fish pie, fillet gumbo
'Coz tonight I'm gonna see my machez amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou

Well, Thibodaux and the Fountainbleaux, the place was buzzin'
Kin folk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dressed in style, go hog wild, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou

Jambalaya, craw fish pie, fillet gumbo
'Coz tonight I'm gonna see my machez amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou

Goodbye Joe, I got to go, me oh, my oh
I got to move far from town, get myself a pirogue
I won't take a whole of my friends out on the bayou
Padle away to see my old friend, Woodrow

Well, Jambalaya, craw fish pie, fillet gumbo
'Coz tonight I'm gonna see my machez amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou




I said, son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou
Son of a gun, gonna have big fun on the bayou

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tab Benoit’s song 'Jambalaya' tell the story of a man named Joe who needs to leave his hometown and travel down the bayou. He is leaving his lover, Yvonne, behind but is excited about the prospect of going on an adventure. Joe and Yvonne will both have big fun on the bayou. The chorus teaches us about Louisiana’s cuisine and the type of music that will accompany them along their journey.


Joe takes his pirogue, a small flat-bottomed boat, down the bayou to meet up with a friend named Woodrow. Along the way, they will indulge in Louisiana’s traditional dishes such as jambalaya, crawfish pie, and fillet gumbo. They will sing songs and play music, pick guitars, and fill jars full of fruit to be merry as they travel down the bayou.


The lyrics in 'Jambalaya' conjure up images of a lively and culturally-rich Louisiana. It inspires listeners to go on an adventure, enjoy the finer things in life, and be merry with friends. The song encapsulates Louisiana's vibrant spirit, and the way of life saturated in music, food, and camaraderie.


Line by Line Meaning

Goodbye Joe, I got to go, me oh, my oh
I bid farewell to my friend Joe and announce my departure with great enthusiasm


I got to go, pull the pirogue down the bayou
I need to leave and take my small flat-bottomed boat down the Mississippi River


My Yvonne, she's the sweetest one, me oh, my oh
My girlfriend Yvonne is the kindest person I know


Son of a gun, we're gonna have big fun on the bayou
I vow to have a great time on the river


Said, jambalaya, craw fish pie, fillet gumbo
I'll be enjoying the local cuisine, including spicy rice, savory pie, and seafood stew


'Coz tonight I'm gonna see my machez amio
My dear friend and fellow musician is coming to see me tonight


Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
I plan to play music, drink, and enjoy myself


Well, Thibodaux and the Fountainbleaux, the place was buzzin'
Thibodaux and the Fountainbleau are lively locations where everyone is excited


Kin folk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Many of Yvonne's relatives come to visit her


Dressed in style, go hog wild, me oh, my oh
Everyone is dressed nicely and ready to have a great time


I got to move far from town, get myself a pirogue
I need to relocate away from the city and acquire a small boat


I won't take a whole of my friends out on the bayou
I don't plan to bring all of my friends with me on my river journeys


Padle away to see my old friend, Woodrow
I will paddle my boat to visit my old friend, Woodrow




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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