At first Mama, Papa called the little boy Ned

Raised him on the banks of the river-bed

A houseboat tied to a big tall tree

A home for my Papa and my Mama and me

The clock strikes three, Papa jumps to his feet

Already Mama's cookin' Papa somethin' to eat

At half past, Papa, he's a-ready to go

He jumps in his bireau, headin' down the bayou



He's got a fishin' line strung across the Louisiana River

Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat

He sets his traps catchin' anythin' he can

Gotta make a livin', he's a Louisiana Man

Gotta make a livin', he's a Louisiana Man



Muskrat hides, hangin' by the dozen

Even got a lady, makes a muscrat Cousin

Papa has 'em dryin' in the hot, hot sun

Tomorrow Papa's gonna turn 'em to mon



Call my Mama Riiita and my Daddy Jack

Little boy brother on the fioor is Matt

Green and Lynn are the family twins

Big brother Ed's on the bayou fishin'

On the river floats Papa's great big boat

That's how my papa goes into town

Takes every bit of the night and day

To even reachthe place where the people stay



I can hardly wait till tomorrow comes around

That's the day my Papa takes his furs to town

Papa promised me that I could go

He'd even let me see a cowboy show

I'd seen the cowboys and Indians for the first time then

Told my Papagotta go again

Papa said "Son, we got a life to run

We'd come back again 'cause there's work to be done"



He's got a fishin' line strung across the Louisiana River

Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat

He sets his traps catchin' anythin' he can

Gotta make a livin', he's a Louisiana Man

Gotta make a livin', he's a Louisiana Man: