I never knew that the place I grew

Is the grandest place on earth.

'Till I roamed around from town to town

But now I know what it's worth.

Listen while I tell you 'bout the place I mean

It's my little old home down in New Orleans.

Oh-de-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee.

In the sunny south where the black oil flows,

That's where I long to be.

The Dixie-land, where the white cotton grows

Is calling now to me.

And soon I'll be in the land of my dreams;

It's my little old home down in New Orleans.

Oh-de-lay-ee, ay-ee, oh-lay-ee.

Oh-de-lay-he-ay, oh lay-ee.

Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, ay-oh-lay-ee

Oh-de-lay-ee-ay, le-oh-lay-ee, oh, oh-lay-ee

I've been east, and way out west,

Been around most everywhere.

Now I'm headed south for a good long rest.

I'll be glad when I get there.

All the wonderful things, it seems,

Are awaiting for me down in New Orleans.

Oh-de-lay-ee, ay-ee, oh-lay-ee.

In the sunny south where the black oil flows,

That's where I long to be.

The Dixie-land, where the white cotton grows

Is calling now to me.

And soon I'll be in the land of my dreams;

And that's my little old home down in New Orleans.

Oh-de-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee.

Oh-de-lay-he-ay, oh lay-ee.

Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, ay-oh-lay-ee

Oh-de-lay-ee-ay, le-oh-lay-ee-ee, oh, oh-lay-ee

(New Orleans...)