"Lake's Of Pontchartrain" - HIVE Open Mic 87

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Hey Folks

This is my song for week 87.

Different Thoughts is the interesting theme we have this week.I guess this gives me a chance to
think about different songs other than all the Christmas songs Ive been trying to learn this Holiday season.

Im currently suffering from a really bad cold.Ive been struggling to get through a whole song these past couple of days.
Thats also something that has made me think differently about this weeks song.

I figured if Im going to gett all the way through any song it needs to be one I can rely on and know really well.

Ive decided to play one of my favourite songs which is an old Irish folk song called "Lakes of Pontchartrain"

I played this song a few months back but this time we are singing it in a much higher key which makes it different.

Also since I played it 3 months ago we have gained many new open mic performers so I feel this time I'm playing to a different audience and maybe some are even inspired to learn this old song themselves.

So I guess there are a few reasons I feel this tune works this week.

I must say it was quite a battle to get to the end of this song without coughing.
At the start of every new verse I thought I was going to have a coughing fit and have
to start over but by some small Christmas miracle I made it to the end of the song in 1 take.
You can hear me sniffling in an attempt to stop myself from sneezing a few times
I tried to edit that out but it wouldn't work.

I hope you enjoy my much heavier/smokier than usual vocals this week, sniffles and all :)

"The Lakes of Pontchartrain"

T'was on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu
And I took the rode to Jackson town, me fortune to renew
I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain
Which set me heart to longin' for the Lakes of Pontchartain.

I stepped on board of a railroad car beneath the pouring rain
And I rode the rails 'til evening and I laid me down again
No friends to me ,all strangers here, 'til a dark girl towards me came
And I fell in love with a Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

I said my pretty Creole girl, me money here's no good
If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood
You're welcome here kind stranger, our house it's very plain
But we never turn a stranger away by Lakes of Pontchartrain.

She took me to her mammy's house and she treated me quite well
The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell
To try and paint her beauty I'm sure t'would be in vain
So handsome was my Creole girl by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

I asked her if she'd marry me, she'd said it could never be
For she had got a lover and he was far at sea
She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain
'Til he returned for his Creole girl by the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

So fair thee well me Creole girl may I see thee never more
But I'll ne'er forget your kindness and the cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering a flowin' glass I'll drain
And drink a health to me Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

Twas on one bright May mornin I bid Ponchartrain adieu
And I headed back to Erins Isle ,my fortunes now renewed.
Ill take with me sweet memory which ever shall remain.
As I bid farewell to my Creole girl and The Lakes of
Pontchartrain

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