Jambalaya
The Ames Brothers with Hugo Winterhalter and His Orchestra Lyrics

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Jambalay-a
Jambalay-a
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and film 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
Goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me-o, my-o
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 film 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 and 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 film 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 film 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

Jambalay-a, hey John
Jambalay-a, hey John

Overall Meaning

The song "Jambalaya" is a classic, upbeat tune that celebrates the Cajun way of life in Louisiana. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is planning to visit his sweetheart ("ma cher amio") and have a good time on the bayou. He mentions the names of different places in Louisiana, like Thibodaux and Fontaineaux, where his relatives come to see him. The chorus repeats the words "Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo," which are all popular Cajun dishes.

The song's lively melody and use of instruments like the guitar and the fill fruit jar make it a joyous celebration of Cajun culture. The lyrics also capture the essence of the Cajun way of life, which values family and fun, as well as the importance of food and music in everyday life. Overall, the song is a fun and vibrant representation of the Cajun spirit.

Line by Line Meaning

Jambalay-a
Let's have some Cajun-style fun

Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and film gumbo
We're enjoying a hearty Cajun meal made of rice dish, crab dish, and seafood stew

'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
I'm going to see my darling friend this evening

Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
We'll enjoy music, drinks, and have a good time

Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
We'll have a great time in the rural area near the Mississippi River

Goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me-o, my-o
I have to leave now, Joe

Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
I'm getting in my canoe and heading down the river

Oh my John, the sweetest one, me-o, my-o
I'm fond of John, he's such a dear