I gave my heart to a gamblin' man
He only wanted to play
He told me he'd take me to New Orleans town
By morning we'd be on our way

He gave me champagne and danced me round
His fancy words messed up my mind
He kissed me and called me 'his Lady'
And he left his young girl behind

He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way. "

I was struck round by the devil
He took me away to the stars
I cried out all night for my darling
But the windows were all locked and barred

He took this young rose from the garden
He tore it right out off the ground
I traded my soul for a rainbow of gold
And the rainbow's come tumbling down

He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way. "
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way. "

He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it's such a long way. "

He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it's such a long way. "

He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way. "

He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray
I'll be on my way... "