Lyrics from the

BluesBoxBayou

The original song lyrics of The BluesBox Bayou Band designed and written by Peter Grimaldi

© Floorboard Music 2001 - 2010. All rights reserved

Lyrics from the

BluesBox Bayou

The original song lyrics of The BluesBox Bayou BandDesigned and written by Peter Grimaldi•

© Floorboard Music 2001 - 2010. All rights reserved• “Allons danser le Mardi Gras” written by Scott Baker

Greeting BluesBox Bayou music fans! The following book is a collection of original songLyrics written throughout my journey with The BluesBox Bayou Band from 1998 through

Our most recent recordings. Strangely, or not so strangely, when compiled in oneCollection, these lyrics tell a story, the story about the BluesBox Bayou.

This collection of lyrics is dedicated to Rudy Knight.

Spanish Named TownWhen the season is over,they’ll go back to the border.Papa filling the pales,for a dollar and a quarter.Oh I know what you’ve seen,the hard lives you lead

Lyrics by P Grimaldifrom “Rockin’ Bayou Band”

Stay with me Maria.Stay here where the grass grows,

stay here with me,away from the fields

and the highway that guides you.Your mama don’t know mebut she prays for salvation.

‘cause you fell in love with the pedron’s son

in a Spanish named town

This five-thirty train rolls on foreverI find myself two-stepping’ down the aisleDay dreaming ‘bout the bayou,the plates of jambalaya,and the zydeco they play it all night long....

This line keeps getting longer and I’m anxious,to get back to that shack on the bank where the crawfish they are jumpin’and the scrubby boys are rubbin’Oh Lafayette can’t be that far from here...

Let’s spend some time in Louisiana I’m on my way, I’m on my way... My state of mind, is Louisiana I’m on my way, I’m on my way.

I get this little message in a bottle,says “come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras”when Bourbon street is buzzin’and all the folks there lovin’they party through the night, bon ton role!

Louisiana State0f MindLyrics by P Grimaldifrom “Roadside Attraction”

Got my baby, by my sideand a road map to use as my guidesome people say that we should fly,that ain’t no way,that ain’t now way to see the US of AThere’s a roadside attractionSome days ya got to believe

Roadside AttractionLyrics by P Grimaldi from “Roadside Attraction”

Got a dream? Let it rideThere’s a whole world waiting outside,think I’ll take it down the road, to New Orleansand see the world’s largest big ball of string!There’s a roadside attractionSome days ya got to believe

Got my baby, by my sideand a road map to use as my guidesome people say that we should fly,there ain’t no chance,I’ve got to see the Cadallac RanchThere’s a roadside attractionSome days ya got to believe

Dollywood, Westward Trails!The Bible on the head of a nail!Dead Presidents, I can’t wait to see ‘em!Now I’m only five more miles from the jack-a-lope museum...

Lyrics by PGrimaldi from “BIG FUN”

Born out on the Black Bayou,when papa put a squeeze box in her handssinging songs about the swamp,to rhythms only Cajuns understandand people come from all aroundto listen to that Creole girl get down...

She’s never been to New Orleans,the bayou’s where this girl was taught and raisedshe always smiles but never talks,but listen what those ten notes have to saybecause I could not believe my eyes or my earsor how her spirit moved me...

My belle de Lafayette, my belle de Lafayettemy belle de Lafayette, bon temps a la musette,my belle de Lafayette

Deep in the heart of Acadia, there’s a Cajun with a fire,she prays the lake don’t rise,when the gulf storms come.She’s a patron saint of life,burnin candles in the night,hope her rituals can save me!

Oh, feels like I’m being saved right now, head south!

On the road to Lafayette,you smell the creole cooking in the air.When “little Calvin” comes to townhe plays his fiddle from his rocking chairand when the locals start to dance,there’s Louisiana magic everywhere...

Belle de Lafayette

In the jaded heart of a city boy,there is a land of dreams.Headin’ out into the Gulf Coast,windin’ up the Missisipp’There’s a highway that runs across it,on the bridge through Baton Rouge.Heading out into the countryside,the birthplace of the blues!

I may go back to California,but my heart will always stay,deep in the south,of Andrew Jackson’s battle cry!There is a town called Oppolusas, where voices rise to singVive LouisianneVive LouisianneVive Louisianne

They say you can’t go home again,I don’t believe that’s true,because if you believe in Louisiana those chances still come true.Because there’s a magicthat seems to happen,when you’re out there on the roadif you reach out to a stranger there,you’ll never walk alone...

I may go back to California,but my heart will always stay,deep in the south,of Andrew Jackson’s battle cry!There is a town called Oppolusas, where voices rise to singVive LouisianneVive LouisianneVive Louisianne

Vive Louisianne! I-10

Lyrics by P Grimaldi, from “BIG FUN”

They say you can’t go home again,I don’t believe that’s true,because if you believe in Louisiana those chances still come true.Because there’s a magicthat seems to happen,when you’re out there on the roadif you reach out to a stranger there,you’ll never walk alone...

I may go back to California,but my heart will always stay,deep in the south,of Andrew Jackson’s battle cry!There is a town called Oppolusas, where voices rise to singVive LouisianneVive LouisianneVive Louisianne

And the ghosts throughout her history,are buried in the name,of their spirits rising from their restand waltz amongst their graves.But they will always be our heroes,but we’re not living for the past.You just hold on to your present girl and we’ll share one more dance! I-10

Down the Zydeco RoadLyrics by P Grimaldi from “Rock a’Bayou”

I pushed it to the limit and I’ve crossed that lineI’ve always had to worry but now I’ve got to find a wayI need a little bit of comfort, need a little bit of soulI’m standing at a crossroads but I really got to know...want to know what is common for a common manto do what is right, to do what I canthere’s a better way of living by the folks I’m tolddown in Louisiana where the good times roll...here I go, I’m down the zydeco road

It’s not the way you start, it’s not the way you end,what goes down between it that makes it all a grand plan‘cause you might be dumb, you might be smartit’s not going to matter if you don’t have the heart, have a heartI believe there’s deliverance in the things we chooseit maybe the women, it might be the boozethere’s a better way of living by the folks I’m tolddown in Louisiana where the good times roll...here I go, I’m down the zydeco road

I’m going to the country, to the promise landthey got the gumbo cookin’ and they play Acadianneso if you want to know, what it’s all aboutyou don’t need a reason to be kickin’ it up down there,up down therebecause they dance all morning and they’ll dance all nightdo the bayou pon pon ‘till the egrets flythere’s a better way to party by the folks I’m tolddown in Louisiana where the good times roll...here I go, I’m down the zydeco road

Acadian SkyLyrics by P Grimaldi from “Rock a’Bayou

There’s a great big sky over Lafayette’s town,so oak trees grow craggy and oldand there’re Civil War houses still guarding the roads,all along the Acadie Highway.

There’s a prayer on the bayou that old Cajuns singpassed down to the children they owe.It’s a long, lost love song nobody forgetsin the churchyard carved in stone.

Evangeline don’t you cry, your larger than life,because you showed a big love can hold on.Evangeline was the bride,her legend survives... under Acadian sky

Separation is hard when your young and in loveharsh circumstances can change.When your torn from your homeland, told ‘never return’,you’ll always want what you never can have

Evangeline don’t you cry, your larger than life,because you showed a big love can hold onEvangeline was the brideher legend survives... under Acadian sky

In St. Martinsville parish, young Gabriel can’t waitall alone he had to push on,but she’d search for her lover all over the worldto all ends of the muddy Gulf shore

“Emmanuel, Emmanuel, mademoiselle magnifique,a grand ciel, a grand ciel mi ‘amour”...in Gabriel’s dreams he still calls out her nameOh Evangeline come and carry us home!

Tequila GoldI can still hear the rain,the clatter on the metal roof of the vanand a ride through the mist, out to the lakeyou know we couldn’t resist.And all the times that we’d dream,for something better ‘cause we could not believe.That it was all there right in front of mebut how could I know?

That was the highway I owned,now the good times roll with Tequila Gold.And when I chase it down and close my eyesI visualize I’ve come home again.There were sometimes in my life,I raised some hell but God I paid the price.I should be angry but I don’t think twice‘cause I’m back on the road again....But like my mama once said“You keep this up you gonna wake up dead!”I should have believed her but I got no regrets ‘cause I’m back on the road again

Lyrics by P Grimaldi, from “BIG FUN”

There’s a place that I goA place I go to when I’m feeling low,

a little roadhouse in mindwhere I can still hear my mama calling me.

Where the band came to play,rock’n’roll music the old fashioned way

Aren’t the peaches about ripe?There is nothing finer than a warm valley night

Sometimes the morning came fast,out on the Ford Id sit and smoke cigarettes

and I can still smell the coffee and the gasolineand the fruit on the trees

It was the highway I owned,now the good times roll with Tequila Gold

and when I chase it down and close my eyesI visualize I’ve come home againThere were sometimes in my life,

I raised some hell but God I payed the price.I should be angry but I don’t think twice ‘cause

‘cause I’m back on the road again

This Dawg is Cryin’Lyrics by PGrimaldi

There’s a cruel summer wind, blowing cold ‘cross the coast.As water will rise, I’ve got to leave my happy home.so this exit begins,you must be strong to survive,yet the weak, they get left behind,they were down on their knees, but nobody seemed to care,nobody could hear...This dawg is cryin’, this dawg is cryin’, this dawg is cryin’

Now a good man steps up, like angels with wings.And they raise people up,they’ve got no time to hear from the Feds.because when storm clouds collide,there’s no time to defend,and your life gets washed to the sea,Oh how can they say, that it’s right to treat a man this way?they just want to be saved...

You see time has a way, to bring back all the magnolia trees.But it takes a hand reaching out, to help somebody who needs it.Because we’re all bound togetherin one unforgiving world,but hold on, there’s a glimmer of light.Won’t say it’s the end, because this house will rise again!we’ll come home again... but right nowThis dawg is cryin’, this dawg is cryin’, this dawg is cryin’

Oh Marlene!Lyrics by Peter Grimaldi from Roadside Attraction

Oh Marlene, she a cajun belleI’ve tried so hard, to taste that well

Oh Marlene, oh can’t you seeOh Marlene, what you doing to me

Lil’ Marlene goes down to the waterliving on a boat she’s the shrimp man’s daughter

Oh Marlene, me sol le belle...

Oh Marlene, that short, short skirtand when she talks, she talks like dirt

Oh Marlene, so wild and freeOh Marlene, just seventeen

Lil’ Marlene, she goes downtownstruttin’ all her stuff, while all the hounds sniff around

Oh Marlene, me sol le belle...

Oh Marlene, goes to the swampto casts her spells, with a voo-doo heartsome chicken feet, some dead cat bone

Oh Marlene I’m leavin’ home

Lil’ Marlene goes down to the churchlighting all her candles cause religion comes firstMarlene, me sol le belle

Oh Marlene, she’s a cajun queenwith a southern charm, she’s a rich man’s dreamshe makes me sweat, she makes me waither cold,cold heart, I just can’t takeLil’ Marlene goes down to the prisonbreaking there chains with a little bit of teasin’Marlene, me sol le belle...

Everyday, feels like Sunday to me

and everyday, I feel like dancing.

Everyday feels like a party with you

down on the bayou...

when you smile, I don’t need another thing

cause when you’re near me, I can’t help

myself to sing, sing to all your praises girl,

but you’ve got to understand

how you affect this man...

Everyday, feels like Sunday to me

and everyday, I feel like dancing.

Everyday feels like a party with you

down on the bayou...

and when you talk, (when you talk)

I don’t hear another thingcause if you try, (if you try)

try to push my love awayI can’t explain the way I feel inside,

(feel inside)but you’ve got to understand

how you affect this man

Everyday Feels Like SundayLyrics by PGrimaldi from “Rock a’Bayou”

Allons Danser le Mardi GrasLyrics by Scott Baker from Roadside Attraction / Rock a’Bayou)

Spirits fly from the fire tonightwe sing and dance, by the fire lightthe bayou moon shines down on a ghostly scenewhere masks before Lent hide the unseen

Oh, allons danser le Mardi Grasallons danser le Mardi GraOh, allons danser le Mardi Grasallons danser le Mardi Gra

Chickens cook with a bayou clawwe drink beer and sing chanson to Mardi Grasthe music plays from the fiddle and the boxwe sing along with the snake and the fox!

Oh, allons danser le Mardi Grasallons danser le Mardi GraOh, allons danser le Mardi Grasallons danser le Mardi Gra

Par la lame, la lumière de la luneon danse, on va danser toute la nuitMoss ballets dans une lumière verte grosOui, j’ai vu que vous tapez sur les mains!

By the blade, light of the moonwe dance, we will dance all nightMoss ballets in big green lightYes, I saw you clap your hands!

I said son, don’t make the same mistakesI’ve madeDon’t ask for trouble but don’t be afraidbut if there’s bad luck ever following you,here’s some advice to move you through...Those times when I’m feelin’ low downI grab my squeeze box and I go downtownI move around, I move around

I said son, don’t you ever have to look behind,keep movin’ forward and you’ll be finebut if there’s ever bad luck ever following youhere’s some advice to pull you through...Those times when I’m feelin’ low downI grab my squeeze box and I go downtownI move around, I move aroundSometimes you gotta keep movin’ huh!

Hang tough! Be strong!It takes a man to admit he’s wrongJust keep it real and don’t lose sight,and I know everything’s going to bealright ‘cause...Those times when I’m feelin’ low downI grab my squeeze box and I go downtownI move around, I move around

MOVE AROUNDLyrics by PGrimaldi

I move around, I move aroundI move round, I move roundI’m moving up and downI’m moving east, I’m moving westI’ve seen a lot of places and I’ve been to all the best because...Those times when I’m feelin’ low downI grab my squeeze box and I go downtown.....Oh, I move around

Mamas in the kitchen cooking filet gumbowith the shrimp Papa caught on the Black BayouLittle gray haired ladies watch the little babies grow while Gram pa plays the fiddle, scratchin’ Diggy Diggy LoWhen the sun comes up, I’m going to goback to Louisiana to the Family Bayou,back to Louisiana to the Family Bayou

Brother took his wifeand they moved sometime agohad to find a living on the oil rig rowbut he’s always telling stories ‘bout the life they’d knownand after working hard he’s telling everybody soWhen the sun comes up, I’m going to goback to Louisiana to the Family Bayou,back to Louisiana to the Family Bayou

The Family BayouLyrics and music by PGrimaldi

Colinda went to college up at Baton Rougenow she’s making money up on Fifth AvenueBut she can’t swim the river and she can’t fish the slewbut when she’s got the time she thinks a things she used to doWhen the sun comes up, I’m going to goback to Louisiana to the Family Bayou,back to Louisiana to the Family Bayou

Now life’s here changing almost everyday...Traditional ways slowly fade away...To all the bayou babies who’ve grown up and gone...You know someday all of God’s childrencome home!

When the sun comes up, I’m going to goback to Louisiana to the Family Bayou,back to Louisiana to the Family Bayouback to Louisiana to the Family Bayou,back to Louisiana to the Family Bayou.

There’s a long, long road,that leads to somewherewe all find out once we get there.If you must leave, where I can’t follow...won’t you stay, until daylight comes?

You live and learn,that nothing lasts forever.But you can only try,so hold on tight.If you must leave where I can’t follow...won’t you stay until daylight comes?

I have slept with my eyes open,I can see that smile so clear.It was love the size of a mountainand a soul that showed no fear.We spent too much time laughing,too much time traveling, we didn’t care where we were heading half the time...

Please don’t say no,can you spend just a little more time?but I’ll let go, if you want me to.If you must leave where I can’t follow...won’t you stay until daylight comes?And when that time comes,to carry me home and I can see, just over the hill.Will you come and find me?Then can I follow?Then can you stay, until daylight comes?

Until Daylight ComesLyrics by P Grimaldi

Times We’re Living In(Keep Steppin’)By P Grimaldi © 2010 Floorboard Music

Let’s step it up and smack it downNo it’s no secret baby, this world is spinnin’ outBeen left for dead, I don’t ask why.Now I move on every corner trying to re-viveIt ain’t no sin...Just the times we’re living in

There’s the word, out on the streetsThere’s too many families with not enough to eatSo much has changed, too many cryin’but we do the boogie woogie trying to sur-vive,it ain’t no sin...Just the times we’re living in

Keep steppin’, keep steppin’ babyIt’s all good, (It’s all good) keep steppin’ babyI knew you would, so keep stepping’It’s all good, keep steppin’Ain’t no sin...It’s the times we’re living in

Been living on, the gravy train, butsome things in life just don’t work out to planHey it’s all good, and that’s all fine but I’ll keep boot-scootin’ mama, not to lose my mindIt ain’t no thing,Just the times we’re living in

Keep steppin’, keep steppin’ babyIt’s all good, (It’s all good) keep steppin’ babyI knew you would, now keep steppin’It’s all good, so keep steppin’Ain’t no sin...Just the times we’re living in

Discography

About the BluesBox Bayou Band

The original song lyrics of The BluesBox Bayou BandDesigned and written by Peter Grimaldi•

© Floorboard Music 2001 - 2010. All rights reserved• “Allons danser le Mardi Gras” written by Scott Baker

The style recalls Louisiana... zydeco, Cajun, blues and American Roots as

influenced by Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, Professor Longhair, Steve

Riley, Wayne Toups, Little Feat, Zachary Richard and others. Covers and

traditionals are mixed with original material written by Pete Grimaldi. The

resulting sound is “very” BluesBox Bayou Band, they don’t emulate anyone’s

specific sound, as their songs reflect their own unique musical experience. Also

shedding a little light on our California / Texas roots The BBBB perform

Tex-Mex songs in the tradition of Mexican Tejano players.

The BluesBox Bayou Band stand outside their designated labels.