Lakes of Pontchartrain Lyrics

It was one fine March morning I bid New Orleans adieu
And I took the road to Jackson town, my fortune to renew
I cursed all foreign mo-ney, no credit could I gain
til I fell in love with the Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain
She took me into her Mama's house, and treated me right well
The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell
To try and paint her beauty, I know it would be in vain
So handsome was my Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain
I asked her if she'd marry me, She said that ne'er could be
For she had got a lo-ver and he was far at sea
She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain
Till he'd return to his Creole girl on the lakes of Ponchartrain
Fare thee well, me Creole girl, I never will see you more
I won't forget your kindness in the cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering, a flowing bowl I'll drain
And I'll drink a health to my Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain