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 awhile 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 awhile God I’m so tired of crying But I can’t hold back my tears Oh, hard to know Can the city give a man his heart Does the city have a hand to hold Tell me, what do you offer that I don’t, New Orleans I hope the people living on the streets Bring you greater joy than all the places that you see And I know you’ll make them smile And then you’ll tell them that you’re packing up and leaving town You said, I don’t know where I’m going I gotta leave New Orleans for awhile God I’m so tired of crying But I can’t hold back my tears Oh, hard to know Can the city give a man his heart Does the city have a hand to hold Tell me, what do you offer that I don’t, yeah You don’t owe me anything Go be free, yeah You don’t owe me anything Go be free, yeah 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, yeah But I can’t hold back my tears anymore Can the city give a man his heart Does the city have a hand to hold Tell me, what do you offer him that I don’t New Orleans, yeah Why don’t you just go If you never wanted me at all