[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