On the Banks of the Old Ponchartrain

I [A] travelled from [A7] Texas to [D] old Louis-[A] anne
Through valleys, o'er mountains and [E7] plains
Both [A] footsore and [A7] weary I [D] rested a-[A] while
On The [E7] Banks Of The Old Ponchar-[A] train.

The fairest young maiden that I ever saw
Passed by as it started to rain
We both found a shelter beneath the same tree
On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain.

We hid from the shower an hour or so
She asked me how long I'd remain
I told her that I'd spend the rest of my days
On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain.

I just couldn't tell her that I ran away
From jail on a West Texas plain
I prayed in my heart I would never be found
On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain.

Then one day a man put his hand on my arm
And said I must go west again
I left her alone without saying goodbye
On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain.

Tonight as I sit here alone in my cell
I know that she's waiting in vain
I'm hoping and praying someday to return
To The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain.