Jambalaya
Vibrant Tales from the Bayou: Jeff Healey's Jambalaya
Lyrics
Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh
Expressing farewell ("Goodbye Joe"), a sense of urgency to leave ("me gotta go"), and surprise/excitement ("me oh, my oh").
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
Refers to the narrator's need to pole a flat-bottomed boat (pirogue) down the bayou, suggesting a rural, Cajun lifestyle.
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Expressing affection for Yvonne, using endearing terms ("My Yvonne," "me oh my oh").
Son of a gun, we'll have good fun on the bayou
Anticipating a good time with Yvonne, using the phrase "Son of a gun" as an expression of excitement.
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
Listing traditional Cajun dishes ("Jambalaya," "crawfish pie," "filé gumbo"), emphasizing the cultural context.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Expressing excitement about seeing a beloved person ("ma cher amio") tonight.
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Describing playing music ("Pick guitar"), celebrating with alcohol ("fill fruit jar"), and expressing joy ("be gay-oh").
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Reiterating the expectation of having a great time ("Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou").
Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is buzzin'
Naming locations (Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau) and creating a lively atmosphere ("the place is buzzin'").
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Highlighting the presence of many relatives ("Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen").
Dress in style, go hog wild, me oh my oh
Encouraging festive behavior ("Dress in style," "go hog wild") with a playful tone.
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Reaffirming the anticipation of having a great time on the bayou.
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
Repeating the mention of Cajun dishes, emphasizing the cultural and culinary celebration.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Reiterating excitement about seeing a beloved person tonight.
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Describing playing music, celebrating with alcohol, and expressing joy, similar to line 8.
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Reiterating the expectation of having a great time on the bayou.
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
Repeating the mention of Cajun dishes, emphasizing the cultural and culinary celebration.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Reiterating excitement about seeing a beloved person tonight.
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Describing playing music, celebrating with alcohol, and expressing joy, similar to lines 8 and 18.
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Reiterating the expectation of having a great time on the bayou.
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Emphasizing once again the anticipation of having a great time on the bayou.
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Concluding the song with a joyful expression about the anticipated fun on the bayou.
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