C              C7      F       C 
I traveled from Texas to low Louisian', 
                                     G7 
Through valleys, o'er mountains and plain. 
     C            C7        F       C 
Both footsore and weary, I rested a while 
       G7                        C 
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. 
 
 
                   C7         F       C 
The fairest young maiden that I ever saw 
                           G7 
Passed by as it started to rain. 
   C             C7        F             C 
We both found a shelter beneath the same tree 
       G7                        C 
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. 
 

             C7              F            C 
I ventured a smile, but she thought I was bold. 
                         G7 
I hastened to try and explain, 
    C         C7           F         C 
But somehow I knew I would linger a while 
       G7                        C 
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. 
 
 
                 C7       F       C 
We hid from the shower an hour or so. 
                           G7 
She asked me how long I'd remain. 
   C        C7           F           C 
I told her I'd spend the rest of my life 
       G7                        C 
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. 
 
 
                C7           F        C 
As time drifted by, we fell deeper in love, 
                                 G7 
A love that could just bring her pain. 
  C              C7         F           C 
I knew that one day I would leave her alone 
        G7                       C 
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. 
 
 
                C7            F      C 
I just couldn't tell her that I ran away 
                           G7 
From jail on an old Texas plain. 
  C             C7            F        C 
I prayed in my heart I would never be found 
        G7                       C 
On the banks of the Old Pontchar-train. 
 
 
Then one day a man put his hand on my arm 
And said I must go west again. 
I left her alone without saying goodbye, 
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain. 
 
 
Tonight as I sit here alone in my cell, 
I know that she's waiting in vain. 
I'm hoping and praying someday to return 
To the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.