[Verse 1]

Sittin' in a barroom, about a quarter past ten

I order one more whiskey, and hit the road again

I got to get back home into my baby's arms

The one thing I've missed is a loving chance

[Chorus]

Gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, where my baby's waitin' for me

I gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, please, Lord, I'm on my knees

[Verse 2]

I've been a rambling boy, and I left my home

I left my darling sweetheart, they're all alone

But then she wrote me a letter and was beggin' please

For me to come back home and to never leave

[Chorus]

Gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, where my baby's waitin' for me

I gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, please, Lord, I'm on my knees

[Verse 3]

Well, just like my daddy and his daddy before

I was bound to ramble, I was bound to roam

There's nothin' I could do, it was in my blood

But then she wrote me that letter, it hit me with a thud

[Chorus]

Gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, where my baby's waitin' for me

I gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, please, Lord, I'm on my knees

[Verse 4]

I hit the open road, I ain't got much time

I got to get to my baby before the sun does shine

Well I'm burnin' rubber and makin' tracks

And I hope my baby will take me back

[Chorus]

Gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, where my baby's waitin' for me

I gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, please, Lord, I'm on my knees

[Outro]

Yeah, I gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, where my baby's waitin' for me

I gotta get back, back down to New Orleans

I gotta get back, please, Lord, I'm on my knees