In the southland, there's a city Way down on the river Where the women are very pretty And all the men deliver They've got music, it's always playin' Start in the daytime, go all through the night When you hear that music playin' Hear what I'm sayin', it makes you feel alright Grab somebody, come on down Bring your paintbrush, we're paintin' the town There's some sweetness goin' round Catch it down in New Orleans We've got magic, good and bad Make you happy or make you real sad Get everything you want or lose what you had Down here in New Orleans Hey, partner, don't be shy Come on down and give us a try You want to do some livin' before you die? Do it down in New Orleans Stately homes and mansions Of the sugar barons and the cotton kings Rich people, poor people, all got dreams Dreams do come true in New Orleans