Bayou Got My Shadow

Aww cher, dat moon hang low, like a lantern on da mire, Swamp water kiss my boots, hummin’ dat old bayou choir. Gators grinnin’ in da cattails, eyes glowin’ red an’ mean, Ain’t no road out dis evenin’, moins, jus’ dat muddy, crawlin’ green. Mama tol’ me, “Tread soft, boy, bayou keep what it please.” But dat night wind start a-whisper, talkin’ secrets in da trees. I hear dat rougarou breathin’, feel da mud grab hold my heel, Ain’t no priest gon’ cleanse dis curse, non, dis swamp know how I feel. Ooooh, bayou got my shaaadow, Draggin’ me slow t’rough da reeds. Yeah, bayou got my shaaadow, Take whatever soul it needs. Ain’t no cross or charm gon’ save me, Dis land done learned my deeds. I seen dat pirogue driftin’, no hand on dat busted oar, Heard a fiddle cry at midnight, comme ça, like ghosts outside yer door. I felt dat cool mist risin’, crawlin’ right up in my bones, Every echo in dat water sound like names I shoulda known. Slow, Dark, Moanin’. Cher bébé, don’ you follow, Dis path ain’t meant for love or man. Swamp been weighin’ on my spirit, Since da day my trouble began. When dat hoodoo wind come callin’, You best run while you still can… Ooooh, bayou got my shaaadow, Draggin’ me down in da mud. Yeah, bayou got my shaaadow, Mixin’ rumor wit’ my blood. If dat river rise tomorrow, Tell ‘em I sank where I stood. Bayou ain’t wicked, non… It jus’ take what stray folk bring. An’ if you hear dat low moanin’? Cher, dat’s me tryin’ t’ sing.