Well my daddy wasn't an educated man
He just doin' the best that he can
And my Mama was a southern gal
They called her Dixie she was my pal
As a boy it was hard to be
All my Mama wanted for me
Now I'm a man and I have to say
I was born, born in New Orleans
I was born, born to be free
I was born, born in New Orleans
I was born to live happily
Strange things have been going on
Signs and wonders in the heavens above
Makes me wonder what will be
Resurrection day is coming for me
Are you ready for eternity?
Do you know how to live happily
Have you been born again, in the spirit
Do you know how to live and be free
Don't you know that life is for the living
You were born, born to be free
We are here to love another
In God's grace, to live happily