Now I taught the weepin' willow how to cry

And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky

And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you, Big River

Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die



I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota

And it tore me up ev'ry time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl

Then I heard my dream was back downstream cavortin' in Davenport

And I followed you, Big River, when you called



Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river

A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone

I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block

She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone



Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on

Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans

Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf

She loves you, Big River, more than me



(Repeat first verse