I gave my heart to a gambling 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"
He left this 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's such a long way"
I was struck blind 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'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"