Ooh Jambalaya

Ooh Jambalaya



It was muggy July around supper time

When I pulled into New Orleans

I got dropped off at South Rampart Street

I was hungry for a plate of greens



I made my way down the banquette

Where I could see an open door

And overhead a sign made of painted pine read

The Dixie Drug Store



Peppers and roots were hanging

From the rafters above

There were oils and sprays all on display

For money luck and for love



I reached down to pick one up

When a dark hand grabbed my arm

And before I could see just who it was

She said you don't want that charm



Ooh Jambalaya



The last man to walk that thing out of here

Just up and disappeared

Found his wallet and his wingtip shoes

Near a tombstone down in Algiers



What you need my travelling friend

Is a place to wash your jeans

And I wouldn't be the least surprised

If you were hungry for a plate of greens



She beckoned me on up the stairs

For she'd done made up her mind

Said take off your hat and kick off your boots

And leave your pride behind



Ooh Jambalaya



She took me down to a secret place

In the bayou of her blankets

She offered to share her bourbon

I thanked her then I drank it



Thru a small crack in the ceiling

Burst the Louisiana moon

It shone down on our bodies

And we began to croon



Like a couple of coyotes

We were howling thru the night

And I swear they were a beatin' those

Congo drums outside



Ooh Jambalaya



We laughed until the mornin'

By then my pants had dried

I picked up my hat and pulled on my boots

And I gathered up my pride



I figured she had