Recorded by: hank williams, sr.

Written by: hank williams sr. & ramona vincent



I [a] travelled from [a7] texas to [d] old louis-[a] anne

Thru 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.


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