They call me Catfish Bates

'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to

Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite

They call me Catfish Bates

'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.

I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight



I am the king of Looseyhatchie

My home is on the river

And them catfish they all know me by my sigh

I keep my nose on the westwind

My eye on the water

And my mind on my business all the time



Well I get me a plug a days worth of tobacco

And a can a big ole redworms

I go down to where the rivers runnin' strong

I throw my hook out on the water

I let it float on down the channel

And I'll have me a big ole flathead ‘for too long



Oh when they bury me I want to be somewhere on the river

With a big ole flathead layin' on my stone

And them catfish will all be prayin

They'll be flatheads up in heaven

So my ghost will leave them hatchie cats alone