Did you expect for me to take it well When you looked me in the eyes and said, "I never wanted you at all"? Did you think that I'd just smile When you told me that you're packing up and leaving town? You said, "I don't know where I'm going I think I'll head to New Orleans for a while" I heard the truth but I still felt the sting Knowing loving you could never turn your heart towards me So I bid my love farewell And I bit my tongue to keep myself from breaking down You said, "I don't know where I'm going I think I'll head to New Orleans for a while" God, I'm so tired of crying But I can't hold back my tears Oh, I have to know Can a city give a man its heart? Does a city have a hand to hold? Tell me, what do you offer him that I don't? New Orleans I hope the people living on the streets Bring you greater joy than all the places that you've seen
And I know you'll make them smile And then you'll tell them that you're packing up and leaving town You'll say, "I don't know where I'm going But I gotta leave New Orleans for a while" God, I'm so tired of crying But I can't hold back my tears Oh, I have to know Can a city give a man its heart? Does a city have a hand to hold? Tell me, what do you offer him that I don't? You don't owe me anything Go, be free You don't owe me anything Go, be free You never know where you're going, and I don't care Go all the way to New Orleans God, I'm so tired of crying But I can't hold back my tears anymore Can a city give a man its heart? Does a city have a hand to hold? Tell me, what do you offer him that I don't? New Orleans New Orleans Why don't you just go? If you never wanted me at all