New Orleans
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics


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I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
I said a hey, hey, hey yeah.

Come on everybody, take a trip with me
Well, down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
They got the Honey Suckle's bloomin' on the Honey Suckle vine
And love is a-blooming there all the time.
You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.

Yeah
I said a hey, hey, hey yeah.

Come on take a stroll down to Basin Street
Yeah, listen to the music with the dixieland beat
A-where the magnolia blossoms fill the air
Yeah, and if you ain't been to heaven then you ain't been there.

They got the French moss hangin' from a big oak tree
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.

I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
I said a hey, hey, hey yeah.

Come on everybody, take a trip with me, yeah
Well, down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
They got the Honey Suckle's bloomin' on the Honey Suckle vine
Yeah, and the love is a-blooming there all the time.

You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans, New Orleans.

I said a hey, hey, hey yeah




New Orleans
...

Overall Meaning

The Nitty Gritty Dirty Band's "New Orleans" is a feel-good tune that is a celebration of the city itself. The song is an invitation to take a trip down to the Mississippi up to New Orleans to experience the city's unique atmosphere.


The first stanza talks about the beauty of New Orleans from the perspective of nature. The Honey Suckle's blooming on the Honey Suckle vine represents the abundant natural beauty of the city. The second stanza talks about the musical offerings of New Orleans at Basin Street. The Dixieland beat represents the musical heritage of the city. The third stanza, the linking verse, repeats the highlights of the first two stanzas and emphasizes that New Orleans is Heaven on Earth.


The chorus "I said a hey, hey, hey yeah," is exciting and unifying- it's an invitation to join in the celebration. The last stanza reiterates the joy and happiness found in New Orleans, as well as the status of every Southern Belle as a Mississippi Queen.


Overall, the song celebrates the beauty, music, and culture of New Orleans in a catchy and upbeat way. It is a perfect singalong tune for a road trip to the Crescent City.


Line by Line Meaning

I said a hey, hey, hey yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm


Come on everybody, take a trip with me
Inviting everyone to join them on a journey


Well, down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
Traveling down the river towards New Orleans


They got the Honey Suckle's bloomin' on the Honey Suckle vine
Describing the beautiful scenery of blooming flowers


And love is a-blooming there all the time.
Implying that New Orleans is a romantic place full of love


You know every Southern Bell is a Mississippi Queen
Suggesting that all the women in the South are beautiful like queens


Come on take a stroll down to Basin Street
Encouraging the listener to go for a walk on Basin Street


Yeah, listen to the music with the dixieland beat
Inviting the listener to enjoy the unique dixieland music


A-where the magnolia blossoms fill the air
Describing the pleasant scent of magnolia blossoms in the air


Yeah, and if you ain't been to heaven then you ain't been there.
Stating that New Orleans is such a great place that it's like heaven


They got the French moss hangin' from a big oak tree
Describing yet another beautiful feature of nature in New Orleans


Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans.
Reiterating the journey down the river towards New Orleans


New Orleans
Emphasizing the focus of the song and admiration for the place




Contributed by Taylor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@Horus9339

Sent over from Dr Malone, great tune. Thank you guys.

@bunch_o_racket

This is the first time I've EVER heard this version! Damn I love it!

@SouthCarolinaPicker

.. MissLisa, thanks for stoppin' in .. Gotta love these guys!

@cynthiabkeller670

Have you heard the original complete lyrics version done by the writer himself? Check out Johnnie Driftwood. He wrote it and sang it to his students, in an attempt to get the kids interested in US history.

@nunya4244

I love the "rawness" of it...

@hildapage7065

YEE HAW, Doc MALONE! KEEP FIRING! L♡VE YA!

@catsmeaow

What memories- I love it.

Charlie buzz saw. California

@SouthCarolinaPicker

.. Ride the Vibe!

@nunya4244

This has been my favorite version of this song since the first time I heard it YEARS ago! Love it still!

@da8760

Johnny Horton version is wonderful too!

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