Mary took to running with a travelin' man 
Left her momma crying with her head in her hands 
Such a sad case, so broken hearted 
She say, momma, I got to go, gotta get outta here 
I gotta get out of town, I'm tired of hanging around 
I gotta roll on between the ditches 
It's just an ordinary story 'bout the way things go 
'Round and around nobody knows but the highway 
Goes on forever, that ol' highway rolls on forever.

Lord, she never would've done it if she hadn't got drunk 
If she hadn't started running with a travelin' man 
If she hadn't started taking those crazy chances 
She say, daughter, let me tell you 'bout the travelin' kind 
Everywhere he's goin' such a very short time 
He'll be long gone before you know it 
He'll be long gone before you know it.

She say, never have I known it when it felt so good 
Never have I knew it when I knew I could 
Never have I done it when it looked so right 
Leaving Louisiana in the broad daylight.

This is down in the swampland, anything goes 
It's alligator bait and the bars don't close 
It's the real thing down in Louisiana 
Did you ever see a Cajun when he really got mad 
When he really got trouble like a daughter gone bad 
It gets real hot down in Louisiana 
The stranger better move it or he's gonna get killed 
He's gonna have to get it or a shotgun will 
It ain't no time for lengthy speeches 
There ain't no time for lengthy speeches.

She say, never have I known it when it felt so good 
Never have I knew it when I knew I could 
Never have I done it when it looked so right 
Leaving Louisiana in the broad daylight 
It's just an ordinary story 'bout the way things go 
'Round and around nobody knows but the highway 
Goes on forever, that ol' highway rolls on forever.