New Orleans
Les Humphries Singers Lyrics

New Orleans
The destination of the singer's journey. The repeated phrase implies excitement and eagerness at the prospect of reaching the city.

Yip
An exclamation of enthusiasm or encouragement, used to complement the main phrase.

Left my home in Texas bound for New Orleans.
The singer left their home state of Texas with the intention of arriving in New Orleans. The use of 'bound' emphasizes the determination and commitment to this goal.

Ain't no doubt about it
An assertion that there is no uncertainty or ambiguity in the situation being described.

Don't see no way round it
The artist sees no alternative or solution to their current predicament.

Left my girl in Maybeline and got on board the River Queen.
The singer left their significant other back in Maybeline and boarded the River Queen, a riverboat heading towards New Orleans. The use of 'got on board' emphasizes the decisive action taken by the singer.

Should have faced the jury but I was in a hurry
The singer acknowledges that they should have dealt with a legal matter ('faced the jury'), but decided not to due to their haste in getting to New Orleans.

Happened to be on the River Boat Queen
The artist found themselves on the River Boat Queen by chance, suggesting that their journey was somewhat spontaneous and unplanned.

Bound for New Orleans
Reiterating the ultimate destination of the River Boat Queen.

I've left friends behind me
The artist has left behind their friends back in Texas, likely as a result of their desire to travel to New Orleans.

Although they still remind me
Despite leaving their friends behind, the singer is still emotionally attached to them and thinks about them often.

I was feelin' doggone mean so headed down to New Orleans.
The artist's mindset before arriving in New Orleans was negative, possibly implying that they were trying to escape something or seeking a change of scenery for a fresh start.

I've lost all my money and I don't think it's funny
The singer is struggling financially, which is causing them distress. The use of 'don't think it's funny' suggests that others may find the situation humorous, but the singer does not.

I gambled on the River Queen headin' down to New Orleans
The singer engaged in gambling on the River Queen en route to New Orleans, which may have contributed to their financial struggles.

Smokin' Gamblin' Drinkin' but when I started thinkin'
The singer engaged in vices such as smoking, gambling, and drinking on the River Queen, but had a moment of introspection and reflection when they began thinking about their situation.

Somethin' that I should have seen never left for New Orlea
The artist regrets not taking action on something they should have noticed or addressed before leaving for New Orleans.

I got drunk one night and then she just picked a fight
The artist's significant other picked a fight with them after they got drunk one night, prompting the artist to leave for New Orleans.