[Verse 1] I built this house with my bare hands On the shores of Louisian Took my sweet cher Jolie-Ann For my own – my very own Now every man has got his pride I tried to shelter and provide But I can’t stop this poison tide Rollin’ in – rollin’ in
[Chorus] Now I’ve nothing left to give her No answer to her prayers Black ribbons on the water Black ribbons for her hair
[Verse 2] Came the wind, came the rain We defied that hurricane And we built this house again Stone by stone – stone by stone But in the Gulf of Mexico 5000 feet below Oh the devil’s blood it flows On and on – on and on
[Chorus]
[Bridge] Oh how her eyes they used to shine Fairest in Evangeline Now they stare so cold and blind Through my soul – oh Lord my soul
[Outro] She was tangled in the saltgrass Not a bullet left to spare Black ribbons on the water Black ribbons for her hair