Mixed Tape : Red : "The Lakes of Pontchartrain" by the Be Good Tanyas

The Be Good Tanyas' "music has been described as beguiling, haunting, rustic, ambient, hobo-erotica, and goth-folk." They are Frazey Ford, Trish Klein, and Samantha Parton.

Listen to a Snippet

Get this track from iTunes for $.99

Thank you Meaghan for turning me onto this song via your mothers day mixed tape. This is a truly beautful rendition of this amazing song.

Lakes of Pontchartrain Lyrics

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 Ponchartrain.

I sat onboard a railway car, beneath the morning sun
And I rode the rails til evening when I lay me down again
All strangers, they're no friends to me, til a dark girl towards me came
And I fell in love with a creole girl, on the lakes of Ponchartrain

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 Ponchartrain."

She took me out to her mamma's house and treated me right well
Her hair upon her shoulders in jet-black ringlets fell
To try and paint her beauty, I'm sure would be in vain
So handsome was my creole girl on the lakes of Ponchartrain.

I asked her would she marry me, as 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 Ponchartrain.

So fair you well, my bonny ol' girl, I may never see you no more.
I won't forget your kindness in that cottage by the shore
And at every social gathering, a golden glass I'll drain
And I'll drink of health to the creole girl, on the lakes of Ponchartrain.