I was born on a levy
A little bit south of Montgomery
Mama worked in the big house
And Daddy, he worked for the county
I never had no learning' until I turned 16
When Joe Henry came up the river, y'all
Lord, he made a woman out of me
I used to tease Joe Henry
I guess it served me right
It wasn't long till he left me
Cryin' out in the night
Joe Henry had his say
He wouldn't set me free
Well, I'm here to tell everybody
That man made a woman out of me
Lord, he made a woman out of me
When I think back to that day so long ago
I got a little feel in' on my mind
Although it hurt me, there's one thing I know
When he left, he left a woman behind
When I met a mother young man
Wantin' to love and run
My mind goes back to Joe Henry James
And the heck of a job he done
Ain't no other man let me down
You see, I've been set free
Ever since way back yonder
When Joe made a woman out of me
Lord, he made a woman out of me
Lord, he made a woman out of me