South of I-10

I woke up in Mississippi in '51
Migrated next door became a native stepson
Grew up on the rhythm of Clifton and Cleveland
And the Red Hot Louisiana Band

Rocking my baby through the Seventies roll
In '81 I counted thirty years old
Turning me loose and yet holding me close
Life was a waltz that wouldn't let go

Allons danser, Allons danser
Come on let's dance, come on let's dance
South of I-10 we really had it made

Lafayette boomed 'till they capped offshore
Then the oil families couldn't take it no more
A two-step too fast with one foot slower
I lost my partner when we hit the floor

Allons danser, Allons danser
Come on let's dance, come on let's dance
South of I-10 we really had it made

While the band was cookin' at the bar I went broke
And Clifton's accordion was starting to smoke
With a gold toothed grin and a laugh and a shout
He said "I feel like a jet y'all, we're takin' off now!"

So rock me high through the ups and the lows
'Til the music stops and it's time to go
Accept this dance for the life we know
And we'll get back up when we hit the floor

Allons danser, Allons danser
Come on let's dance, come on let's dance
South of I-10 we really got it made