O'er railroad ties and crossings 
I made my weary way, 
Through swamps and elevations 
My tired feet did stray 
Until I resolved at sunset 
Some higher ground to win. 
'Twas there I met with a Creole girl 
By the lake of Ponchartrain. 

"Good evening, fair maiden, 
My money does me no good. 
If it wan't for the allegators 
I'd stay out in the wood." 
"You're welcome, welcome, stranger. 
At home it is quite plain 
For we never turn a stranger 
From the lake of Ponchartrain." 

She took me to her mother's home 
And she treated me quite well; 
Her long black hair in ringlets 
Upon her shoulders fell. 
I tried to paint her picture 
But, alas, it was in vain 
So handsome was that Creole girl 
By the lake of Ponchartrain. 

I asked her if she'd marry me 
She said that ne'er could be; 
She said she had a lover, 
And he was on the sea, 
She said she had a lover 
It was true she would remain, 
Until he returned for the Creole girl 
By the lake of Ponchartrain. 

Adieu, adieu, fair maiden, 
You ne'er shall see me more 
And when you are thinking of the old times 
And the cottage by the shore 
And when I meet a sociable 
With a glass of the foaming main 
I'll drink good health to the Creole girl 
By the lake of Ponchartrain.