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 ..."