I was raised beside the sea; My mom and dad would smile at me, ‘Cause I loved to listen to those old songs.   Sittin' by the gramophone, Every evenin' all alone. . . . The melodies would linger on in my head—in my bed. . . 'til I said:   I'VE BEEN TO NEW ORLEANS IN MY DREAMS. I was singin' a ragtime tune, Dancin' under that creole moon, Back in New Orleans in my dreams— Yes, I’VE BEEN TO NEW ORLEANS IN MY DREAMS   I would play beside that sea Where the west wind called to me, Dreamin 'bout the tales that sailors told me.   And I would walk for blocks and blocks Just to get down to the docks, Where I’d watch those big white boats go sailin’, sailin’ (away)—   . . . TO NEW ORLEANS IN MY DREAMS. I was singin' a ragtime tune, Dancin' under that creole moon, Back in New Orleans in my dreams— Yes, I’VE BEEN TO NEW ORLEANS IN MY DREAMS           And when the winter fog rolled in, I turned my back against the wind, Shut my eyes and felt the Delta sunshine.   But I never really got away, ‘Til the music would start to play, And I'd go driftin' down the bayou, bayou—(bye, bye, ooh)   I'M OFF TO NEW ORLEANS IN MY DREAMS. I can hear that ragtime tune, I can see that creole moon, I'm back in New Orleans in my dreams— Yes, I’VE BEEN TO NEW ORLEANS IN MY DREAMS   I was there when the saints were marchin’ in. I saw the Mardi Gras begin . . . .        Just a Closer Walk With Thee (Felt like they playin' just for me . . . )