I don't smoke, I don't shoot smack But I got a spicy monkey ridin' on my back Don't eat beignets, too much sugar and dough But I will play for gumbo Yes, I will play for gumbo It started in my grandma's, in her kitchen by the sea She warned me when where she told me, "Son, the first one's free" It hit me like a rock or some Taekwondo 'Cause I will play for gumbo Oh yeah, I will play for gumbo A piece of French bread with which to wipe my bowl Good for the body, good for the soul It's a little like religion and a lot like sex You should never know when you're gonna get it next From midnight in the Quarter to noon in Thibodaux I will play for gumbo, yes, I will play for gumbo I'm not talking quesadillas or a dozen Krispy Kreme's Or a pile of caviar, that's a rich man's dream No banana split or filet of pompano No, I will play for gumbo Yeah, I will play for gumbo A piece of French bread with which to wipe my bowl Good for the body, good for the soul It's a little like religion and a lot like sex You should never know when you're gonna get it next It could be it's that sausage or those pretty pink shrimp Or that popcorn rice that makes me blow up like a blimp Maybe it's that voodoo from Marie Laveau But I will play for gumbo Yeah, I will play for gumbo The sauce boss does his cookin' on the stage Stirrin' and a-singin' for his nightly wage Sweating and a frettin' from his head to his toe Playin' and swayin' with the gumbo Prayin' and buffetin' with the gumbo A piece of French bread with which to wipe my bowl Good for the body, good for the soul It's a little like religion and a lot like sex You should never know when you're gonna get it next From midnight in the Quarter to noon in Thibodaux I will play for gumbo, I will play for gumbo Playin' and buffetin' for my gumbo Yeah, I will play for gumbo