The Times-Picayune (New Orleans), Aug. 30, 1955, p. 7, dated to at least "40 years ago":                     


                      LAK-A PONTCHARTRAIN

Through swamps and past alligators, I wound my weary way,
O'er ties and railroad crossings my footsteps quickly played;
'Twas at the edge of evening some higher land I gained,
'Twas there I met the Creole girl from the Lak-a Pontchartrain.

"Good evening, my pretty fair maiden, my money does me no good,
Were it not for the alligators, I'd sleep out in the wood."
"Oh, you are welcome, stranger, altho our house is plain,
We never turn a stranger from the Lak-a Pontchartrain."

She took me to her father's house and treated me quite well,
Her hair in glowing ringlets around her shoulders fell.
I tried to gain her beauty but found it was in vain --
So handsome was the Creole girl from the Lak-a Pontchartrain.

I asked her if she'd marry me -- she said that ne'er could be --
She had her own true lover, and he was far at sea.
She said she had her own true love and true she would remain
Until he returned to the Creole girl and the Lak-a Pontchartrain.

Adieu, my pretty fair maiden. I will no longer stay --
I thank you for your kindness in the cottage by the way; --
But in some social circle a flowering [sic] bowl shall bring
A drink to the health of the Creole girl from the Lak-a Pontchartrain.