As recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford:

I can't recall my Mother, I don't remember Dad
Mister and Mississippi was all I ever had
Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

My cradle was the river, my school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler, the slickest one afloat
My teacher was a gambler, the slickest one afloat
He taught me not to gamble on a petticoat.

Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

Oh! Betty Mae, I love you, I love you Betty Mae
I love you like a barefoot boy, loves a summer day
The way a wand'ring gypsy, loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river, loves old New Orleans.

Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

I'd love a tiny village, a quite country town
A house, a little garden, with kiddies runnin' 'round
I'd be a faithful husband, I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat, comin' 'round the bend.

Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.
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(Transcribed from the Patti Page
recording by Mel Priddle - January 2005)

I can't recall my Mother
I don't remember Dad
Mister and Mississippi
Was all I ever had
Oh, I was born to wander
Oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

My cradle was the river
My school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat
He taught me not to gamble
On a petticoat

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home
Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

Oh, Darling, now I love you
What more is there to say
I love you like a barefoot girl
Loves a summer day
The way a wand'ring gypsy
Loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river
Loves old New Orleans

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

I'd love a tiny village
A quiet country town
A house, a little garden
With kiddies running 'round
You'd be a faithful husband
I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat
Comin' 'round the bend

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home
Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home