I never knew that the place i grew Is the grandest place on earth Till I roamed around from town to town But now I know what it's worth Listen while I tell you about the place I mean It's my little old home down in New Orleans Oh-de-lay-ee In the sunny south where the black oil flows That's where I long to be The dixie land where the white cotton grows Is calling now to me And soon i'll be in the land of my dreams It's my little old home down in New Orleans Oh-de-lay-ee I've been east, and way out west Been around most everywhere Now I'm headed south for a good long rest I'll be glad when I get there All the wonderful things in the world it seems Are awaiting for me down in New Orleans Oh-de-lay-ee In the sunny south where the black oil flows That's where I long to be The dixie-land where the white cotton grows Is calling now to me And soon I'll be in the land of my dreams And that's my little old home down in New Orleans Oh-de-lay-ee