On the vermilion river On a packet bound for St. Clara Ride the lady we love best She's the Belle of the West From somewhere down in Arkansas But, who's to say? She just started that way She's the Belle of the West Just a plain little lady Going down the big muddy On her way back home For, yes, she dreamed of this day With her lover she stormed away Never knowing someday she'd become The Belle of the West Up on crawley's ridge There's a headstone edged in black Here lies the lady we love best And each night they would pray Way back home in Arkansas Girl, you're drifting too far from the shore You're drifting too far She's the Belle of the West Just a plain little lady Going down the big muddy On her way back home For, yes, she dreamed of this day Never once thinking of home Now, she's southbound for glory The Belle of the West She's southbound for glory The Belle of the West Oh, she's southbound for glory The Belle of the West