I love my baby, I love him so
If you see my baby, I want him to know
When he's in New Orleans down on Bourbon Street
Well he better be wearing his wedding ring

He left yesterday on a train headed south
He kissed me goodbye, but not on the mouth
I begged him not to go to the City of Sin
But he left anyway and now I'm wonderin'

Well he cleaned up his life when he married me
Quit dancing and gambling and drinking strong drink
He found the Lord and renounced his old ways
But if he comes back here liquored he'll have hell to pay

Well I know what they do in the old Crescent City
With girls of the night who are painted all pretty
You pay a dollar, they'll show you their kitty
But if they empty your wallet you won't get my pity

And down in the bars, they pour whiskey like wine
Bathin' in bourbon 'til you're half-blind
If you come home wet I'll hang you out to dry
If you come home crooked I'll straighten your line

I love my baby, I love him so
If you see my baby, I want him to know
When he's in New Orleans down on Bourbon Street
Well he better be wearing his wedding ring

Well it says in the Bible we should love and forgive
It don't say nothin' about ramblin' men
Jesus ain't me, he ain't raising four kids
I put my foot down, I got my revenge

Well you'll come home tomorrow around five o'clock
And see all your things sittin' out on the lawn
They just wouldn't fit into one little box
And don't try the door, dear, 'cause I changed the locks

Well I loved my baby, oh I loved him so
My baby don't love me so I let him go
Back to New Orleans, back to Bourbon Street
And he won't be wearing his wedding ring
'Cause I already pawned off his wedding ring