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Hank Williams — Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
Album: The Best Of Hank Williams
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 800









Released: 1951
Length: 2:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Goodbye Joe me gotta go me oh my oh
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne the sweetest one me oh my oh
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou

Thibodaux Fontaineaux the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style and go hog wild me oh my oh
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Settle down far from town get me a pirogue
And I'll catch all the fish in the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie...

Later on, swap my mon, get me a pirogue
And I'll catch all the fish on the bayou
Swap my mon, to buy Yvonne what she need-oh
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie...
Comments (76)add comment
 Stefen wrote:

What decade was this? Thirties? Forties? Does anyone know?



1952.
"be gay-o" 

How the English language has changed. 
"Fill fruit jar" may be a reference to corn liquor.
It wasn't this version, it was a New Orleans version, but I remember listening to Jambalaya on my grandmother's 78 player - it only  played 78's!  Oh crap!  I just aged myself - again!  
Never much liked Country/Western music until I went to Nashville. It was there I discovered that I like "old" CW music, Hank, Patsy, Johnny, Merle and the rest.  Thanks RP for your diversity.
 Stetsonman wrote:
Us Brits don't really get "country" the whole lot is a nonsense genre. 
 
I beg to differ! 
Us Brits don't really get "country" the whole lot is a nonsense genre.

But Hank... that's different. He'd probably roll in grave to hear the rot that set in. 
From a time when gay meant happy.
There is a typo in the lyrics posted here. It is not "fillet" gumbo, but "file" gumbo.
Voyez-vous cela?
 On_The_Beach wrote:

You know you're a redneck when you spell "you're" "your".  
 Rednecks can't spell at all.

I had a Hankering to hear this. (drum roll and groan)
Classic - no Bayou Blues band does not play this.
So nice to have some Hank on RP. I love the fact that I can hear Hank but also some of the newest electronica all on the same station... like nowhere else on the interwebs...  :)
 a_genuine_find wrote:
you know your a redneck . . . when your front porch collapses and four dogs get killed.
 
You know you're a redneck when you spell "you're" "your".  
Another sad story of a musician contributing to their early demise... 
Still sounds perty good!
 stickittotheman wrote:
He said "be gay-o". Is this spongeBob?
 

happily excited :  merry in a gay mood

keenly alive and exuberant :  having or inducing high spirits a bird's gay spring song

Showing or characterized by cheerfulness and lighthearted excitement

Grow up, kiddies.


 Eva_Espinosa wrote:
 
      Yes, I do. For years Hank Williams has been given credit for the song "Jambalaya". This is not true. I have seen a tape of Hunter Hayes age 4 years old who later became Hank Williams singing and playing the accordian on a Hank Williams web site. It is an old Cajun folk song put to the tune of Grand Texas.  Don't get me wrong I love Hank Williams but lets give credit where credit is due.
 
The give away is when Hank incorrectly pronounces gayo  "guy - oh" which rhymes perfectly with Bayou and means to act in a proud and  "cocky" fashion like a rooster. 
The give away is when Hank incorrectly pronounces gayo  "guy - oh" which rhymes perfectly with Bayou and means to act in a proud and  "cocky" fashion like a rooster. 
 krlthms wrote:
I have heard recently on NPR that HW adapted the lyrics to an old Cajun song (in French), as a tribute to the old Cajun musicians in Bayou country. They even played the original. Does anyone know what I am talking about?
  
      Yes, I do. For years Hank Williams has been given credit for the song "Jambalaya". This is not true. I have seen a tape of Hunter Hayes age 4 years old who later became Hank Williams singing and playing the accordian on a Hank Williams web site. It is an old Cajun folk song put to the tune of Grand Texas.  Don't get me wrong I love Hank Williams but lets give credit where credit is due.

Hank. 'nuff said. All the haters just simply have no clue about what makes American music American... This is the real deal.
have no idea what he's saying this whole some, but i love the way it sounds
Play an old song and see what people post...
Stefen wrote:
What decade was this? Thirties? Forties? Does anyone know?
According to the "Official Hank Williams" website here is your answer: https://www.hankwilliams.com/10_2_d04.html It was recorded somewhere between 8/10/51 and 9/23/52. He wrote the song, which I didn't know. On his site they have a picture of him as a young man. If you have ever seen HW iii it is no wonder why they say Hank the 3rd is "a walking ghost."
you know your a redneck . . . when your front porch collapses and four dogs get killed.
Stefen wrote:
What decade was this? Thirties? Forties? Does anyone know?
released in 1952. I like Ike!
So this is Hank Williams... I recognize it from GTA San Andreas
Classic and definitely eclectic. Pass the tabasco for my Jambalaya
Stefen wrote:
What decade was this? Thirties? Forties? Does anyone know?
Vintage 1951...........
Like most versions of this song but I think Fats is No 1.
trekhead wrote:
haven't done THIS in a while... Mmmmm....Jambalaya....Aurghhhhh!
that should be aaaahhhhhIIIIEEE!!!!!
What decade was this? Thirties? Forties? Does anyone know?
MM13 wrote:
I'm fully aware of all the artists who name Hank Williams as a major influence and I won't deny his impact on a part of American music history, but (big sigh) I can't really listen to this and keep a straight face.
I don't think you're supposed to listen to this with a straight face!
Just beautiful. Never understood the lyrics in the CCR cover but they come out clear here.
Fundamental
not a big fan
I'm fully aware of all the artists who name Hank Williams as a major influence and I won't deny his impact on a part of American music history, but (big sigh) I can't really listen to this and keep a straight face.
kcar wrote:
More Hank please! "Honky Tonkin'" would be a great place to start.
I am always amazed at all sortsa bands who claim Hank as an influence in their music take it from the experts if not from me? Please note, Hank Rocks!
More Hank please! "Honky Tonkin'" would be a great place to start.
tiggers wrote:
Thank you RP. It's rare in this day an age that I can find a reason that I am glad to be British and to live in the UK, but if this is what passes for quality musical entertainment in some parts of the US then glad I am.
lol
Thank you RP. It's rare in this day an age that I can find a reason that I am glad to be British and to live in the UK, but if this is what passes for quality musical entertainment in some parts of the US then glad I am.
krlthms wrote:
I have heard recently on NPR that HW adapted the lyrics to an old Cajun song (in French), as a tribute to the old Cajun musicians in Bayou country. They even played the original. Does anyone know what I am talking about?
No, but as a Louisiana resident, I'd be really interested if you find out.
I have heard recently on NPR that HW adapted the lyrics to an old Cajun song (in French), as a tribute to the old Cajun musicians in Bayou country. They even played the original. Does anyone know what I am talking about?
Makes me think of a karaoke bar I used to hang out at in Wabeno, Wisconsin. It was owned by an older couple (probably in their 70s), and the old woman would come out from behind the bar every Saturday night around 1 a.m. and sing this one. That was after she had been drinking continuously since 11:00 Monday morning. Anyway, it gets an 8 from me.
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
I just like the words. Funny song.
If you think this is fun, you should hear the Dash Rip Rock version. Now, that's a barn burner!
Never really cared for this one much, especially in comparison to some of his other stuff like Settin' the Woods on Fire, which is awesome. Still, any Hank is better than no Hank!
I just like the words. Funny song.
radiojunkie wrote:
cataloger wrote:
You just can't go wrong with Hank
Unless you're Hank Jr.
too true. too friggin' true. fortunately, the talent seems to have simply skipped one generation ~ Hank III is some seriously good s#@t...
I don't like this that much, but I think it's important to hear music that made it all possible. This is an exemple. Whatever the musicianship, the artistic quality of those pionners set a standard that is still valid today.
haven't done THIS in a while... Mmmmm....Jambalaya....Aurghhhhh!
this is cool... especially as part of a fiddle set!
hank rocks ! well maybe not rock but he is cool in his way
here's hoping that things on the bayou aren't too terrible just now...
Aren't there some instruments out of tune?
RP is digging deep into the roots of the American music scene. And I'm digging it.
Anytime I hear Hank Sr. I think of my father who loved all things Hank Sr. So, I love all things Hank Sr., too. Thanks for playing him here and letting me hear him over the air. I appreciate it.
Johray63 wrote:
Only two chords, but it had all to turn it into a classic.
If you'll listen closely, there are three chords (I-IV-V)...
YEEEEEEEEHAWW! Hank lives on RP!
Cranked this one up to 10, my fellow workers are loving it!!
So this is what Country was supposed to be like...gosh, I like this. Not only has RP opened me up to new artists and songs, but to new genres (for me, at least). Good job, Bill.
Gives me chills and brings back great memories!
Sorry, can't feel the "enthusiasm" with this one, only a "ho-hum" from me.
cataloger wrote:
You just can't go wrong with Hank
Unless you're Hank Jr.
He said "be gay-o". Is this spongeBob?
Gregorama wrote:
The best singer songwriter to ever hit Country music. No one comes close to Hank.
(click here)
The best singer songwriter to ever hit Country music. No one comes close to Hank.
Iyz be a NEW yawker n I married me a Lusianan girl in '99. Dis here wuz our weddn dance & sho nuff be true....we has sum fun down on da Bayo Thanks for the mem'ries (and no offense mint wit da spllenig.)
A follow-up with The Waterboys' Has Anybody Here Seen Hank? would be pretty cool too. (I know it doesn't fit the current set theme --- so maybe a Hank set, Bill?)
Love it!
8) tasty
Only two chords, but it had all to turn it into a classic.
Hank is truly incredible. Pure singing. Similar to Johnny Cash except Hank hits the notes.
Hats off to Hank, who penned the tune. However, in this particular case, I prefer a cover....any cover. And I'm a Louisianian, born & bred!
A sweet and simple tune that is also one of the most influential of American recordings.
You just can't go wrong with Hank