In South Louisiana, In the Attakapas wood Where the river meets the levee Planted in the cove is an old live oak On the shore of Lake Bijou (j**el) Amongst its leaves, in the tangle of the branches The swallows return every spring They find refuge in that old oak On the shore of Lake Bijou (j**el) Chorus: Turn, turn in my arms Hold me tight once again Stay with me underneath the live oak tree On the shore of Lake Bijou (j**el) It was in 1957 The first time that I saw them The two together, building their nest
On the shore of Lake Bijou (j**el) They would return when the winter was done I called them Pierre and Marie A big «Monsieur » black as the night His lady by his side Chorus During Lent this last April I saw him one last time A lone bird, waiting on his branch On the shore of Lake Bijou (j**el) He was still, his heart breaking Watching from morning until night Until that Sunday when he was gone From the shore of Lake Bijou (j**el) Chorus --- .