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: