Now I taught the weeping 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 every 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.
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, 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.