Chords Req: The Lakes of Ponchartrain

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: MartinRyan
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:38 PM

Interesting version alright.

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add:
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:34 PM

There are four versions of Lakes of Ponchartrain in the DT and another above, but this one doesn't mention alligators and has other differences.

Lyr. Add: ON THE BANKS OF THE OLD PONCHARTRAIN

I traveled from Texas to low Louisian',
Through valleys, o'er mountains and plain.
Both footsore and weary, I rested a while
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

The fairest young maiden that I ever saw
Passed by as it started to rain.
We both found shelter beneath the same tree
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

I ventured a smile, but she thought I was bold.
I hastened to try and explain,
But somehow I knew I would linger a while
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

We hid from the shower an hour or so.
She asked me how long I'd remain.
I told her I'd spend the rest of my life
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

As time drifted by, we fell deeper in love,
A love that could just bring her pain.
I knew that one day I would leave her alone
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

I just couldn't tell her that I ran away
From jail on an old Texas plain.
I prayed in my heart I would never be found
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

Then one day a man put his hand on my arm
And said I must go west again.
I left her alone without saying goodbye,
On the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

Tonight as I sit here alone in my cell,
I know that she's waiting in vain.
I'm hoping and praying someday to return
To the banks of the Old Ponchartrain.

Sung by Mrs. W. B. Apple, recorded 1962, learned from Lolly Linebarger. Wolf Folklore Collection (Lyon College, Batesville, AR): Ponchartrain

Another version is in the collection, titled "Creole Girl," recorded 1958. Creole Girl

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Jon Whitney
Date: 02 Jul 97 - 07:25 PM

Planxty does this song on their "Cold Blow and the Rainy Night" CD. The liner notes indicate it may be from a British source dating to the war of 1812, when the British fought the Americans in New Orleans, among other places.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LILY OF THE WEST
From:
Date: 02 Jul 97 - 01:54 PM

Ha! I KNEW I'd heard another version of this song. I still can't remember where, but it's called "The Lily of the West." Perhaps it was on that album the Chieftains did a few years ago with guests like Mick Jagger and I forget who else.

Anyway, I found this at http://www.epix.net/~lesley/folk.html

When first I came to Louisville, some pleasure there to find,
A damsel there from Lexington was pleasing to my mind.
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips like arrows pierced my breast.
The name she bore was Flora, the Lily of the West.

I courted lovely Flora, and to her I was so kind,
But she went to another man. It nearly wrecked my mind.
She robbed me of my freedom, deprived me of my rest.
Betrayed was I by Flora, the Lily of the West.

He met her in a shady grove, this man of high degree.
I saw him kiss my Flora and it sure did things to me.
She told me he was just a friend, but still I was depressed.
Betrayed was I by Flora, the Lily of the West.

I stepped up to my rival, with my dagger in my hand.
I seized him by the collar. It's not hard to understand,
That, blinded by my jealousy, I pierced him in the breast.
Betrayed was I by Flora, the Lily of the West.

The trial was held. I made my plea, but 'twas of no avail.
Now I await the hangman in a stinkin' rotten jail.
But though I give my all away, and though my life is messed,
I love my faithless Flora, the Lily of the West.

Words from Golden Encyclopedia of Folk Music
Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
ISBN 0-88188-380-8

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From:
Date: 19 Jun 97 - 08:55 PM

Thanks for all the great information! We have this song on a CD by Jim Flanagan, an Irishman who now lives & performs in Hattiesburg, MS. Great version. Email me if anyone would like more information about how to contact Jim. He only has 1 CD out right now, but it's great -- lots of tunes sung in Gaelic. He also teaches Irish Gaelic.

NOTE TO BARRY: Yes, got married 5/17. In fact, it was my husband who posted all the messages in the past week -- Ponchartain, Lea Rig and As I Roved Out. We're trying to get ready to do a CD soon.

Barry, our system crashed a while back & we lost all email addresses! Mine is above, so please send me yours again. We really enjoy corresponding with you. I thought I had some of your messages saved & could get your email from them, but some of our saved correspondence went "bye-bye", too! Bummer!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jun 97 - 12:03 PM

Those flamingos are plastic?? And I've been feeding them at the annual party! Gonna have to cut down on the beer, I guess...*grin*

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: LaMarca
Date: 16 Jun 97 - 11:17 AM

Hi, Barry,
Our dear friend Bill D. gave us a tape of "The Incredible Bernard Wrigley" and one other of his albums; we've just about worn it out on car trips. A truly unique voice, with an excellent collection of songs (I have the bad taste to actually like "Plastic Pies" and to actually SING "The Ballad of Knocking Nelly" - but then, I also own pink plastic lawn flamingos...)

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Barry Finn
Date: 13 Jun 97 - 10:27 PM

Hi LaMarca Try Bernard Wrigley (aka the Bolton Bullfrog) for the "Lass of Maui", I can't recall what he recorded it on though, I also can't recall where I got my version of LOP (except it's not Paul Brady's), a mind is a terrible thing to..... wash. Barry

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: LaMarca
Date: 13 Jun 97 - 11:27 AM

The song looks like it is a variant of "The Indian Lass" or "Little Mohee", which are found on both sides of the Atlantic, with the notable difference that the Creole girl refuses the propositions of the wanderer (a sailor in Indian Lass). My favorite version of The Indian Lass was done by Nic Jones on "The Noah's Ark Trap". I like Paul Brady's version of LoP a whole bunch; Martin Simpson's recorded it to a Cajun beat (not entirely successful, IMHO)

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Barry Finn
Date: 13 Jun 97 - 10:32 AM

It is American in orgin, then as I understand taken back to Ireland then made full circle, being brought back home again. When I'm able I'll retrace the research I did on it yrs. ago and try to give a more detailed history, that will serve me better that my memory. Barry

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 13 Jun 97 - 04:55 AM

Dick

As you probably know, Paul Brady brought the song to prominence in Ireland a few years ago -it's usually his version that Irish groups use.I have a vague memory that he picked it up in the States- directly or indirectly. Frank Harte sings a variant with a quite differrent tune but I don't know when/where he got it.

I'll make a few enquiries

Regards

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 12 Jun 97 - 11:41 PM

I'd be most interested in learning what's Irish about the song. Granted, one popular tune for it is a variant on Paddy West, which is derived from the Scots Tramps and Hawkers, and granted, it's being sung by Irish groups nowadays, but I've seen no evidence to suggest that it's anything but American in origin.

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Ran Coleman
Date: 12 Jun 97 - 10:26 PM

I've heard this song within the past few years sung by some of the regulars at O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Pub in the French Quarter in New Orleans. They have several people knowledgable about Irish folk music. The pub is located at 508 Toulouse Street, tel. no. 504-529-1317. I was a contented patron while I lived in that wonderful city. If there's further information you need about the song, O'Flaherty's would be a good reference.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Jun 97 - 05:33 PM

Hi Val Some nice verses I have that are slightly different

It was on a bright may morning I bid Orleans adieu
& steered a course to Jackson my fortune to renew
I cursed all forgien money no credit could I gain
Which left me here alonging for the Lakes Of Pon.

Through swamps and alligators I wound my weary way
Over railroad tracks and crossings my weary feet did stray
Until the shades of evening when higher ground I did gain
It was there I met the Creole Girl by the L.O.P.

I said my pretty creole girl my money it is no good
If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the woods
She said you're welcome kind stranger our house it is quite plain
And we've never turned a stranger out on the L.O.P.

She took me to her mammy's house & treated me right well
The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell
To try and paint her beauty t'would surely be in vain
So handsome was the Creole Girl by the L.O.P.

I asked her if she'd marry me, she said no could never be
She said she had a lover and he was far at sea
She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain
Till he returned to greet his bride by the L.O.P.

So fare thee well my bonny wee lass I never will see you more
I ne'er will forget your kindness at your cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering a Dripping bowl I'll drain
And I'll drink to the health of the Creole Girl by the L.O.P.

In all the versions, she's the 'Creole Girl' who's always true to her lover. The newly arrived Irish were, by one way or another, made to serve in our wars (see Paddy's Green Shamrock Shores [we were taken as prisoners & led round in 6 different ways]), here, after leaving home to seek fame or fortune and ending up broke after the war, but not broken spirited, may have finnally gone home broken hearted.
Val my old e-mail is back, are you married yet, if so congratulations, and the best of luck.
Barry

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: annie once more
Date: 11 Jun 97 - 12:44 PM

It's in the famous Rise Up Singing too!

Subject: RE: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Frank Phillips
Date: 10 Jun 97 - 11:55 PM

Deanta also does a version of this song.

I believe I saw words and music in an Issue of Sing Out magazine sometime in the last 18 months.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: THE LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN
From: Annie
Date: 10 Jun 97 - 11:04 PM

I hope this is ok...I don't know if I pressed return after each line but anyway......this is the most awesome song... It's on an album by "Trapezoid". They do a harmony that it just beautiful........ Annie Talley

  G              D         Em         c                G
  It was on one fine march mornin, I bid new orleans adieu
  
  G              D          Em D          G           C
  And rode the rails til' evenin and  I lay me down again
  
  G             D       Em D       G             c
  I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain
  
  G                 D         Em               C               G
  Which filled my heart with longing for the lakes of the ponchetrain.

Subject: The Lakes of Ponchartrain
From: Vmalin
Date: 10 Jun 97 - 08:40 PM

Hi I'm trying to find guitar chords for this song.