Left los angeles a short while ago
Flew 'cross the country back to buffalo
Walked around through the sleet and the snow
With a red bandana on my head
Saw my momma on 12th and grand
Standing in the alley with the junkyard man
They were both so loaded they could hardly stand
Talkin' 'bout going to mexico
I said "momma I was born
Out there I was born again
Been clear to california and back
Was out there so long many times I thought I was dead"
She said, "sonny what's that you got wrapped around your head?"

It's a red bandana
It's a red bandana
It's a red bandana
It's from hollywood usa

Looked for the woman I used to love
Seen her in a bar off the harlem road
Talking in a booth with charley hobbs
And this ugly little dude whom I didn't know

She said "honey you're back I'm so glad
When you was gone I was so sad
You come in here lookin' so bad
With that red bandana on your head
With that red bandana on your head"

Yes! it's a red bandana
It's a red bandana
It's a red bandana
And it's red just like your blood is