Growin' up on the bayou can drive you outta your mind. Marie was a youngin' when she left the Black Water behind. It all happened one night In the back of Jimmy's car Jimmy said 'Marie, your so pretty, well you oughta be a movie star.' So she packed up her backwood streams Stole her mama's Mabeline And took the train to New Orleans And swore she was never gonna go Back to the Black Water Bayou Mama said, 'Child, don't go back on your raisin" 'There ain't no place in the city for a pretty little backstreet cagian' 'The long hard nights, will leave you cold.' 'And there's a devil 'round every corner tryin' to buy your soul.' And with no where to go, and nothin' to eat She got a job dancin' down on Urban Street But the shoes she's wearin' on her feet Don't dance like they danced with Jimmy Lavoe Back on the Black Water Bayou In the heat of the night It was the very last show She walked onto the stage with her heart and her head hung low She started to cry [cry] As the curtain rolled She found herself lookin' in the Black Water eyes of Jimmy Lavoe Well he picked up her shattered dreams On that stage in New Orleans Said, 'Marie, don't you think it's time to go' 'Back to the Black Water Bayou?'