Standard (EADGBE)

Intro

It was muggy July, around supper time when I pulled into New Orleans

I got dropped off at South Rampart Street, I was hungry for a plate of greens

I made my down the banquette where I could see an open door

An overhead sign made of painted pine read "The Dixie Drug Store"

Peppers and roots were hangin' from the rafters above

There oils and sprays all on display, for money, luck and for love

I reached down to pick one up but a dark hand grabbed my arm

And before I could see just who it was, she said "You don't want that charm."

"The last man to walk that thing outta here just up and disappeared."

"They found his wallet and his wing-tip shoes near a tombstone down in Algiers."

"What you need my travelin' friend is a place to wash your jeans,"

"And I wouldn't be the least surprised if you were hungry for a plate of greens."

She beckoned me on up the stairs 'cause she'd done made up her mind

She said: "Take off your hat and kick off your boots and leave your pride

behind."

She took me down to a secret place in the bayou of her blankets

She offered to share her bourbon, I thanked her then I drank it

Through a small crack in the ceiling burst the Louisiana moon

It shone down on our bodies and we began to croon

Like a couple of coyotes we were howlin' through the night

And I swear they were beatin' those congo drums outside

We laughed until the morning, by then my pants had dried

I picked up my hat and pulled on my boots and I gathered up my pride

I figured she had done slipped out, I couldn't see her anywhere

And I set out to find her and I headed on downstairs

I got down to the bottom and I couldn't believe my eyes: gone were all

the bottles and the remedy supplies

I shouted out for Mary, I darted out the door

An old man on the wooden porch said: "What you in there for?"

"Son, you got no business, the hoodoo stores been closed. Long as I

remember, a century I suppose."

" But, mister, I just spent the night with a young girl named Laveau."

He said: "The widow Paris done had a little laugh on you."

I said: "You mean to tell me that was the Voodooin'?"

He nodded, "Yes, none other - the Queen of New Orleans."