[Verse 1]
Well I'm finally going back to Louisiana
Running and thumbing all the way
That started out way out in California
I've been making about five hundred miles a day
I covered all the beaches on the West Coast
From Mexico Crason City Bay
But Calilou was not in California
That's where her daddy came from by the way
And by the way her mother was a Cajun
She came from New Orleans I've heard her say
And it's just like a girl to want to see her mama
So I might find her there along the way

[Chorus]
Calilou, Calilou well they should have called you restless
Well, they should have called you drifter
Yeah, they should have called you trouble instead of Calilou

[Verse 2]
I recall the first time that I saw her
I picked her up near Phoenix in my car
Just another beauty seeking fame and fortune
And I told her if she should be a movie star
The next time I saw her was Tucumcari
She served my bowl of chili with a smile
I said it's been a year since I last saw you
Wonder how'd you like to share a few good miles
Well the justice of the peace was very sleepy
I held her in my arms a whole night long
I whispered words like settle down and family
And when I woke up my Calilou was gone
[Chorus][x2]

[Verse 3]
It's a long way to New Orleans
Well I got plenty of time
Me too, you know, it's a lot of fun just seeing what the next day has to offer
You never know what's around the next bend
Or what we're going to find either
Do you know what I just wonder how long a man has to look before he finds himself
I just got the feeling that the fire was burning out
Because the air was turning colder every time you came about
And a flame won't take a fanning if the last reserve of love is running low
So since I've got to button up, I believe I'll hit the road and go
Country road 6-40 state highway 45
Life out of the interstate is very much alive
There's magic in the mountains and music in the valleys down below
And my song isn't through playing yet so I believe I'll hit the road and go