Hi all,
There's an unusual version of "Ponchartrain" called "On The Lake Of The Poncho Plains" in Margret Larkin's 1931 book, "Singing Cowboy, A Book of Western Songs". Oak Publications reprinted it in 1963. Ms. Reva Cordell collected it from an unnamed cowboy at a rodeo in the late 1920's.

ON THE LAKE OF THE PONCHO PLAINS

It was late one summer's evening when I bid L.A. adieu,
And started my way to Texas which I was forced to do,
Through swamps of alligators I started my weary way,
Over railroad ties and crossings my weary feet did play.

It was getting late one evening when higher ground I gain,
It was there that I met the Cree girl on the Lake of the Poncho Plains,
"Good evening fair damsel. My money is no good.
If it wasn't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the woods."

She taken me to her mother's house and treated me quite well,
Her raven hair in ringlets around her shoulders fell,
I tried to paint her beauty but found it was in vain,
Oh how handsome was that Cree girl on the Lake of the Poncho Plains.

I begged her then to wed me, she said it ne'er could be,
She said she had a lover and he was far at sea,
She said she had a true lover and true she would remain,
'Till he returned to her again on the Lake of the Poncho Plains.

Adieu to you my pretty miss I may never see you more,
But I'll always remember your kindness that was shown by your cottage door,
It's around the flaming circle, a cup to my lips I drain,
Drink success to the beautiful Cree girl on the Lake of the Poncho Plains.

It's a great piece of folklore where older words have gotten mixed up with newer adaptations. I mean, imagine riding east from Los Angeles through swamps of alligators!! The melody is completely changed too so you'll have to find the book or give me a shout when you're in California and I'll sing it for you.