Standard (EADGBE)

Alternatively, you could use instead of , which isn't how it is in the

actual song, but sounds quite good.

It was on one fine March morning

When I bid New Orleans adieu.

And I was on the road to Jackson Town,

My fortunes to renew.

I cursed all foreign money,

No credit could I gain,

Which filled my heart with longing

For the lakes of Pontchartrain.

I sat on board a railway car

Beneath the morning sun,

And I rode the rails 'til evening

When I lay me down again.

All strangers there no friends to me,

'Til a dark girl towards me came,

And I fell in love with a Creole girl

On the lakes of Pontchartrain.

I said, 'My pretty Creole girl,

My money here's no good.

If it weren't for the alligators

I would sleep out in the woods.'

'You're welcome here, kind stranger.

Our house is very plain,

But we never turn a stranger out

On the lakes of Pontchartrain.'

She took me up to her mama's house,

And treated me right well.

He hair upon her shoulders

In jet-black ringlets fell.

To try to paint her beauty

I'm sure 'twould be in vain,

So handsome was my Creole girl

On the lakes of Pontchartrain.

I asked her would she marry me,

But she said it never would be,

For she had got a lover

And he was off at sea.

She said that she would wait for him,

And faithful she'd remain,

Waiting for her sailor

On the lakes of Pontchartrain.

So fare you well, my bonny ol' girl.

I may never see you no more,

But I won't forget your kindness

In that cottage by the shore.

At every social gathering

A golden glass I'll drain,

And I'll drink a health to the Creole girl

On the lakes of Pontchartrain.