It was on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu
And I took the rode to Jackson town, my fortune to renew
I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain
Which filled me heart with longing for the Lakes of Pontchartain.

I stepped on board of a railroad car beneath the morning sun
And I rode the rails 'til evening and I laid me down again
All strangers here, no friends to me 'til a dark girl towards me came
And I fell in love with a Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

I said my pretty Creole girl, my money here's no good
If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood
You're welcome here kind stranger, our house it's very plain
But we never turn a stranger out on the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

She took me to her mummy's house and she treated me right well
The hair upon her shoulders in long dark ringlets fell
To try and paint her beauty I'm sure it would be in vain
So handsome was my Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

I asked her if she'd marry me, she'd said it could never be
For she had got another and he was far out at sea
She vowed that she would wait for him and true she would remain
So constant was my Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

So fair thee well me bonny old girl, I never see you no more
But I'll ne'er forget her kindness and the cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering a flowin' glass I'll raise
and I’ll drink a health to my Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain