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 man are gonna flood you Big River Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die

 

I met him accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota And it tore me up every time I heard him 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 down to St. Louis later on down the river A freighter said he's been here but he's gone, boy, he's gone I found him trail in Memphis but he just walked up the block Raised a few eyebrows and then he went on down alone

 

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on Take that man on down to New Orleans, New Orleans Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf he loves you, Big River, more than me

 

Well 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.