Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
John Turner Layton, Jr. & Henry Creamer, 1922

1. Guess! where do you think I'm going
When the winds start blowing strong?
Guess! where do you think I'm going
When the nights start growing long?
I ain't going East, I ain't going West
I ain't going over the cuckoo's nest
I'm bound for the town that I love best
Where life is one sweet song

Chorus:
'Way down yonder in New Orleans
In the land of dreamy scenes
There's a garden of Eden, that's what I mean
Creole babies with flashing eyes
Softly whisper with tender sighs
Stop! Oh! won't you give your lady fair a little smile
Stop! You bet your life you'll linger there a little while
     [1] There is heaven right here on earth
          With those beautiful queens
     [2] They've got angels right here on earth
          Wearing little blue jeans
'Way down yonder in New Orleans

2. Guess! what do you think I'm thinking
When you think I'm thinking wrong?
Guess! what do you think I'm thinking
When I'm thinking all night long?
I ain't thinking this, I ain't thinking that
I cannot be thinking about your hat
My heart does not start to pit-a-pat
Unless I hear this song. Chorus

Patter:
The orange blossoms' sweet aroma
And the strains of La Paloma
Seem to throw me into a coma
When the shadows play
Again I see a peacherin-o
Dance the you know what I mean-o
She could shake a mean tambourin-o
So I hear the folks say.

Note: The original verses are almost never heard. A song sheet with a common set of lyrics: