See the lyrics of “Jambalaya” originally written and sung by Hank Williams and released in July 1952.
Jambalaya Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the Bayou
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun we’ll have big fun on the bayou[Chorus]
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and a filé gumbo
‘Cause tonight, I’m gonna see my ma chère amie, oh
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay, oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the Bayou[Verse 2]
The Thibodeauxs, the Fontenots, the place is buzzin’
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style and go hog wild, me oh, my oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou[Chorus]
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and a filé gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma chère amie, oh
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay, oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou[Chorus]
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and a filé gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma chère amie, oh
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay, oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou[Verse 3]
Settle down, far from town, get me a pirogue
And I’ll catch all the fish in the bayou
Swap my mon, to buy Yvonne what she need-oh
Son of a gun we’ll have big fun on the bayou
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About The Song Jambalaya
“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” is a classic country song written and recorded by Hank Williams, first released in July 1952.
The song draws its title from jambalaya, a popular Creole and Cajun dish, and it reflects the vibrant culture of Louisiana through its lively lyrics and upbeat melody.
The song’s narrative revolves around a character preparing for a festive gathering, expressing excitement about seeing his beloved Yvonne and enjoying traditional Cajun food like crawfish pie and gumbo.
The catchy refrain, “Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou,” captures the spirit of celebration and community that characterizes the song.
Musically, “Jambalaya” features a Cajun-influenced sound, with its melody based on the earlier Cajun song “Grand Texas.”
Williams recorded the track with a skilled band that included notable musicians like Chet Atkins. Upon its release, the song achieved significant commercial success, topping the U.S. country charts for fourteen weeks and becoming one of Williams’ most recorded songs.
Over the years, “Jambalaya” has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, further solidifying its place in music history.
Its enduring popularity is a testament to Hank Williams’ influence on country music and the cultural richness of Louisiana that the song celebrates.