Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman 
And I'm gonna flood you Big River.
And 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 
I found her trail in Memphis but she just walked up the 
bluff.
She raised a few eyebrows and went on down alone.

Now won't you bat it 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.