My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive:


NEW HIGHWAY No. 51
(Tommy McClennan)
As recorded by Tommy McClennan on RCA Victor 20-2931-A, 1941.

Highway 51 run right by my baby's do'.
Highway 51 run right by my baby's do'.
Now, if I don't get the girl to lovin', ain't gwine down Highway 51 no mo'.

Now, if I should die before my time shall come—
I say, if I should die, yes, before my time shall come,
I want you to please bury my body out on Highway 51.

Now, yon' come that Greyhound with his tongue stickin' out on the side. (Yes, yes.)
Yon' come that greyhound with his tongue stickin' out on the side.
Yeah, if you buy your ticket, swear ‘fore God that man'll let you ride.

My baby didn't have one five dollars; now she spent on that V8 Fo'd. (Yes, yes.)
My baby didn't have one five dollars, spent it all on your V8 Fo'd
So I can meet that Greyhound bus on that Highway 51 road.

Now, any time you get lonesome an' you wants to have some fun, (Yes, yes.)
Any time you get lonesome an' you wants to have some fun, (Where'm I goin'?)
Come out to little Tommy's cabin; he lives on Highway 51.

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U.S. Route 51 runs from near Hurley, Wisconsin, to near LaPlace, Louisiana.