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?"

On down to Birmingham, Alabama
Or to Nashville, Tennessee will do 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?"

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): DICKEY BETTS, FOREST RICHARD BETTS