[C              C7      F       C] nI traveled from Texas to low Louisian', n                                     [G7] nThrough valleys, o'er mountains and plain. n     [C            C7        F       C] nBoth footsore and weary, I rested a while n       [G7]                        [C] nOn the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. n n n n                   [C7         F       C] nThe fairest young maiden that I ever saw n                           [G7] nPassed by as it started to rain. n   [C             C7        F             C] nWe both found a shelter beneath the same tree n       [G7]                        [C] nOn the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. n n n             [C7              F            C] nI ventured a smile, but she thought I was bold. n                         [G7] nI hastened to try and explain, n    [C         C7           F         C] nBut somehow I knew I would linger a while n       [G7]                        [C] nOn the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. n n n                 [C7       F       C] nWe hid from the shower an hour or so. n                           [G7] nShe asked me how long I'd remain. n   [C        C7           F           C] nI told her I'd spend the rest of my life n       [G7]                        [C] nOn the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. n n n                [C7           F        C] nAs time drifted by, we fell deeper in love, n                                 [G7] nA love that could just bring her pain. n  [C              C7         F           C] nI knew that one day I would leave her alone n        [G7]                       [C] nOn the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. n n n                [C7            F      C] nI just couldn't tell her that I ran away n                           [G7] nFrom jail on an old Texas plain. n  [C             C7            F        C] nI prayed in my heart I would never be found n        [G7]                       [C] nOn the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. n n nThen one day a man put his hand on my arm nAnd said I must go west again. nI left her alone without saying goodbye, nOn the banks of the Old Pontchartrain. n n nTonight as I sit here alone in my cell, nI know that she's waiting in vain. nI'm hoping and praying someday to return nTo the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.