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.

He taught me not to gamble
On a petticoat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat.

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...