Mr Skiffington in New Orleans

[Verse] Mr Skiffington in New Orleans Got a coffee stain on his cuffs at St. Charles at noon He folded his map by the Cafe du Monde Asked for the streetcar, then missed it by one block too soon He left his hotel with a creased-up grin Found a brass band playing by the French Market gate Said, “This town don’t care where you came from” And he kept on walking, never worried ’bout the wait [Chorus] Mr Skiffington, he don’t need a plan He just follows that second line sound Coffee on his cuffs and a grin in hand Mr Skiffington keeps circling town [Verse] He ducked into a bar with a busted front fan Ordered red beans, tipped the glass a little too hard The man on the stool said, “You here on business?” He said, “Just passing through, killing time by the yard” A woman at the counter laughed at his tie Said it looked like he dressed in a rush from somewhere else He checked his watch like it might explain him Then left it on the bar next to a packet of sugar shells [Chorus] Mr Skiffington, he don’t need a plan He just follows that second line sound Coffee on his cuffs and a grin in hand Mr Skiffington keeps circling town [Verse] By dusk he was sweating through the back of his shirt Watching kids in Saints jerseys chase a ball through the square A trumpet came loose from a second-floor window And he stood there a minute like he planned to stay there He bought a paper fan from a girl on Decatur Used it like a plan when the air turned thick and slow Mr Skiffington in New Orleans Wasn’t lost exactly, just letting the evening go [Chorus] Mr Skiffington, he don’t need a plan He just follows that second line sound Coffee on his cuffs and a grin in hand Mr Skiffington keeps circling town [Verse] Near midnight he wound up by the river wall With a dented hotel key and a beer going warm in his hand He stared at the water like it knew his last name Then laughed at himself and turned back toward the band Morning would find him with a new set of streets Same stain on his cuff, same grin on his face Mr Skiffington in New Orleans Keeps arriving late and leaving just a little out of place