I had to go back to that house one more time

To see if the camellias were in bloom

For so many reasons its been on my mind

The house on Belmont Avenue

Built up on cinderblocks off the ground

What with the rain and the soft swampy land

By the sweet honeysuckle that grew all around

Were switches when we were bad

Refrain:

I took a bus to Baton Rouge

I took a bus to Baton Rouge

All the front rooms were kept closed off

I never liked to go in there much

Sometimes the doors they'd be locked 'cause

There were precious things that I couldn't touch

The company couch covered in plastic

Little books about being sved

The dining room table nobody ate at

The piano nobody played

Refrain:

I took a bus to Baton Rouge

I took a bus to Baton Rouge

There was this beautiful lamp I always loved

A seashore was painted on the shade

It would turn around when you switched on the bulb

And gently rock the waves

The driveway was covered with

Tiny white seashells

A fig tree stood in the backyard

There are other things I remember as well

But to tell them would just be too hard

Ghosts in the wind that blow through my life

Follow me wherever I go

I'll never be free from these chains inside

Hiddep deep down in my soul

Refrain:

I took a bus to Baton Rouge

I took a bus to Baton Rouge