Well, now, times got hard And I didn't draw the card I needed So, I proceeded to bang it on down the line Hitchhike, turnpike And if you got room, won't you let me ride? Just as far as you're going And, Lord knowing, I'll be much obliged There was a light rain falling I started recalling how lonesome a man can be Feeling a chill when over the hill Came a brand new baby blue Cadillac Stop on a dime I threw my guitar in the back, and I climbed inside Big blue eyes said, "Hey, boy, don't you want a ride?" I said, "To Birmingham, Alabama Or to Nashville, Tennessee will do just fine with me Don't you know what I mean? I'm coming from New Orleans Now, hey Mama, won't you let me ride?" Well, now, black fur coat, diamond ring Shining like something I ain't ever seen My old guitar and a roadside bar Walked in the door looking like a movie queen There was a honky-tonk jukebox, hardwood floor She said, "I ain't ever seen nothing like this before." I said, "That's all right, mama, won't you let me ride?"