That's the day my papa takes his furs to town
He's setting traps in the swamp catching anything he can
And big brother Ed's on the bayou fishing
Gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
He's got fishing lines strung across the Louisiana Rivers
Got 'em out drying in the hot, hot sun
Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat
He's got fishing lines strung across the Louisiana Rivers
Papa promised me that I could go
Little baby brother on the floor that's Mack
He's gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
On the river floats papa's great big boat
Takes him every bit of a night and a day
Already mama's cooking papa something to eat
Gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
My Muskrat hides hanging by the dozens
A home for my papa and my mama and me
He'd even let me see a cowboy show
Gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat
He jumps in his pirogue headed down the bayou
I told my pop I've gotta go again
To even reach a place where the people stay
And that's how my papa goes into town
On a houseboat tied to a big tall tree
Gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
Tomorrow papa's gonna turn 'em into money
Gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
We'll come back again but first there's work to be done"
I saw the cowboys and Indians for the first time then
Gotta make a living, he's a Louisiana man
Well, Papa said, "Son we've got lines to run
Even got a lady mink, a muskrat's cousin
At half past, papa he's ready to go
He's setting traps in the swamp catching anything he can
The clock strikes three and papa jumps to his feet
Well, they call mama Rita and my daddy Jack
Bren and Lin are the family twins
And I can hardly wait until tomorrow comes around
