Born On The Bayou

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According Doug Clifford, 'Born On The Bayou' began as the band was warming up for a concert in California.  As the rest of the band was testing some new equipment the talented drummer started playing a modified version of the Suzie Q.  John Forgerty began to play guitar with his new amplifier and warming up his voice at the top of his range.  The melody eventually worked its way into a writing session where John became inspired to write about a childhood on the bayou, a place John hadn't even been himself.  Despite never living in the bayou the John's bluesy swamp rock song was a catchy ode to his musical roots. 

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The song was released as the b-side to the single “Proud Mary” in January of 1969.  Both songs were included on the band’s second album, Bayou Country, which was released in January of the same year. Despite being the b-side the song gained traction in the southern rock scene and despite the band having grown up in southern California the song became an anthem for many on and off the bayou.

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Lyrics

Verse 1

Now, when I was just a little boy

Standin' to my daddy's knee

My papa said, "Son, Don't let the man get you

And do what he done to me?

'Cause he'll get you

'Cause he'll get ya now now"

Verse 2

Well, I can remember the Fourth of July

Runnin' through the backwood bare

I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'

Chasin' down a hoodoo there

Chasin' down a hoodoo there

Chorus

Born on the Bayou,

Born on the Bayou,

Born on the Bayou, oh, oh

Instrumental

Verse 3

Wish I were back on the bayou

Rollin' with some Cajun Queen

Wish that I were a fast freight train

I’m just a-chugging on down to New Orleans

Chorus

Born on the Bayou,

Born on the Bayou,

Born on the Bayou, oh, oh

Instrumental

Verse 2

Well, I can remember the Fourth of July

Runnin' through the backwood bare

I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'

Chasin' down a hoodoo there

Chasin' down a hoodoo there

Chorus

Born on the Bayou,

Born on the Bayou,

Born on the Bayou, oh all-right

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