[Verse 1] On the vermilion river
On a packet bound for Saint Clair
Ride the lady [?] She's the Belle of the West
From somwehere down in Arkansas
But, who's to say?
She just started that way

[Chorus] She's the Belle of the West
Just a plain little lady
Going down the big muddy
On her way back home
For, yes, she dreamed of this day
With her lover she stormed away
Never knowing someday she'd become
The Belle of the West

[Instrumental] [Verse 2] Up on Crowley's Ridge
There's a headstone etched in black
Here lies the lady we love best
And each night they would pray
Way back home in Arkansas
Girl, you're drifting too far from the shore
You're drifting too far

[Chorus] She's the Belle of the West
Just a painted lady
Going down the big muddy
On her way back home
For, yes, she dreamed of this day
Never once thinking of home
Now, she's southbound for glory
The Belle of the West

[Outro] She's southbound for glory
The Belle of the West
Oh, she's southbound for glory
The Belle of the West