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The Lakes Of Pontchartrain Lyrics And Guitar Chords

 The Lakes Of Pontchartrain Lyrics And Easy Guitar Chords Trad. This dates back to around 1812 and was recorded by Aoife O'Donovan,  Bob Dylan , Planxty with Christy Moore and Peter Paul and Mary. A recent recording was done by Ryan McMullan in 2017.The guitar chords are in two keys including the chords as used by The Coronas in the youtube video which is in the key of F Major with chords in the chordpro format. Also recorded by The Full Moon Ensemble.The lakes of Pontchartrain tenor guitar / mandola tab now added.
The Song Words With Easy Chords In The Key Of G Major

It[G] was on one[D] fine March[C] morning,           
[Em]when[G] I bid New[D] Orleans a[G]dieu,        
[G]and I was on[D] the road to[C] Jackson[Em] town, 
[G]my fortunes to[C] renew,                
I[G] cursed[D] all foreign[C] money,,[Em]          
[G]no credit[C] could I gain,              
[G]which filled my[D] heart with[C] longing for,   
[Em]the[G] lakes of[D] Pontcha[G]rtrain

I stepped aboard a railway train
beneath the morning sun.
I rode the rails ‘til evening 
and lay me down again.
All strangers there, no friends to me,
‘til a dark girl towards me came.
And I fell in love with a Creole girl
on the Lakes of Pontchartrain.
 

I said "my pretty creol girl, 
My money here's no good, 
If it weren't for the alligators,
I would sleep out in the wood,
your welcome here, kind stranger
our house is very plain, 
but we never turn a stranger out
on the lakes of Pontchartrain"

she took me to her mamma's house, 
and treated me right well,
her hair upon here shoulders,
in jet black ringlets fell,
to try to preen here beauty
I'm sure would be in vain
so hansome was my creol girl
on the lakes of Pontchartrain sheet music

I asked her would she marry me,
and she it never would be,
while she had got a lover,
and he was off at sea
she said that she would wait for him
and faithful she remained
waiting for her sailor 
on the lakes of Pontchartrain

she value well my bonny old girl.
Ill never see you no more
I wont forget your kindness
in that cottage by the shore
and at every social gathering 
a golden glass I'll drain,
and drink the health to the creol girl
on the lakes of Pontchartrain.

​Below is the ebook list of Irish Folk Songs with guitar chords
in 3 keys. Price €8.90 and I'll email the ebook after purchase .
​The chords are suited to ukulele, banjo or mandolin also
Martin
Paul Brady Photo
Paul Brady song The Lakes Of Pontchartrain
The lakes of pontchartrain lyrics by Paul Brade
 The Lakes Of Pontchartrain lyrics / chords for the Coronas version.

Intro chords
F Dm F Bb F

It[F] was on one fine Ma[C]rch morn[F]ing,           
I [Dm]bid New[C] Orleans a[F]dieu,        
I took the road to[Dm]] Jackson[F] town, 
my fortunes to re[Bb]new,                
I[F] cursed all foreign[Dm] money,         
[F]no credit could I [Bb]gain,              
which [F]filled my heart with[C] long[F]ing for,   
the[Dm] lakes of[C] Pontcha[F]rtrain

​The lakes of Pontchartrain tenor guitar / mandola tab tuned CGDA.

The lakes of Pontchartrain tenor guitar / mandola tab
I know i have this track down once or twice before but here is a good version worthy of inclusion here. The companeros were hard at work on the This Is The Day album. Late one January night we were singing and playing for the simple joy of it. I asked Tim Martin to run the tape and we slipped into the lakes. This song has transported me to many exotic places. 

I first heard it in Hull in 1967 and since the it has had a great re-awaking, coming first to  Ireland and then heading back across The Atlantic. I often wonder where did Mike Waterson first hear the song. It is a wonderful example of how a great song will out live the name of the person who wrote it. Lakes Of Pontchartrain -Notes, Christy Moore Box Set.
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