On the Banks of the Old Ponchartrain Lyrics

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 Pponchartrain.