I traveled from Texas to old Louis Anne   Through valleys, over mountains and plains   Both footsore and weary, I rested a-while   On the banks of the old Ponchartrain      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   On the banks of the old Ponchartrain