I was born on a levy
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 sixteen
When Joe [bad word] up the river
Lord, made a woman out of me
(Yes, he did)
Lord, he made a woman out of me

I used to tease Joe Henry
I guess it served me right
Wasn't long till he left me
Crying out in the night

Joe Henry had his say
He wouldn't set me free
I'm here to tell everybody
That the 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 get a little feeling
On my mind

Although it hurt me
There's one thing I know
When he left, he left him
woman behind

When I meet another young man
Wanting to love [bad word] 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 been set free
Ever since way back yonder
When Joe made a woman out of me
(Yes, he did)

Lord, he made a woman out of me
(He made a woman)
Lord, he made a woman out of me
Joe made a woman out of me

Lord, he made a woman out of me
(Yes, he did)
Joe made a woman out of me
(He made a woman)
Oh, he made a woman out of me