Heard this song last November at a pub on the Liffey (possibly known as the Chancery) and knew the tune immediately as "On the Coast of Malabar." "Malabar" is one of the songs performed on the Chieftains' Long Black Veil album.

According to the singer at the pub, the lyrics for "Ponchartrain" were written by an Irish soldier in the Confederate Army, making it a rare addition to the many Irish-American songs written by soldiers in the Union Army - immigration largely going to Northern cities of New York, Boston, etc. So I'm intrigued to find the lyrics and possibly a recording.

Additionally, if there are any other notable tunes that became new world citizens with new lyrics out there, I'd be grateful for the information. I've already spotted the classic "Spancil Hill" which I've known all my life as "Ghost Riders in the Sky."

Now then. Let me correct the mistakes of the first post.

The tune from the Long Black Veil album is "Lily of the West." The American War in question COULD BE the War of 1812 (not the Civil War), but there's a reference to "railroad car" which does push it back up to the Civil War or further. It is not specifically a "war" song in the way that "Paddy's Lamentation" is specifically a Civil War song. One of the possible titles of the song is "The Lakes of Pontchartrain." Apparently not Irish, but according to Ready for the Storm, the album by Deanta, this is a "traditional Creole love song, which is commonly mistaken as being of Irish origin." If you acknowledge the strong French influence in Creole culture, we're halfway home. And certainly, the original English ballad "Lily of the West" has strong Irish connections.

(I believe I confused it with "Coast of Malabar", because it had the theme of guy lovin' and leavin' a young, trusting woman. You dogs, you.)

Lyrics:

'Twas on one bright March morning
I bid New Orleans adieu.
And I took the road to Jackson town,
my fortune to renew,
I cursed all foreign money,
no credit could I gain,
Which filled my heart with longing for
the lakes of Pontchartrain.

I stepped on board a railroad car,
beneath the morning sun,
I road the roads till evening,
and I laid me down again,
All strangers there no friends to me,
till a dark girl towards me came,
And I fell in love with a Creole girl,
by the lakes of Pontchartrain.

I said, "My pretty Creole girl,
my money here's no good,
But if it weren't for the alligators,
I'd sleep out in the wood".
"You're welcome here kind stranger,
our house is very plain.
But we never turn a stranger out,
From the lakes of Pontchartrain."

She took me into her mammy's house,
and treated me quite well,
The hair upon her shoulder
in jet black ringlets fell.
To try and paint her beauty,
I'm sure 'twould be in vain,
So handsome was my Creole girl,
By the lakes of Pontchartrain.

I asked her if she'd marry me,
she said it could never be,
For she had got another,
and he was far at sea.
She said that she would wait for him
and true she would remain.
Till he returned for his Creole girl,
By the lakes of Pontchartrain.

So fare thee well my Creole girl,
I never will see you no more,
But I'll ne'er forget your kindness
in the cottage by the shore.
And at each social gathering
a flowing glass I'll raise,
And I'll drink a health to my Creole girl,
And the lakes of Pontchartrain