I've been down the Mississippi,
Down through New Orleans,
Yes, I have.
I've played in California,
There ain't too much I haven't seen.
No, there ain't.
Well, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't fool around with a ramblin' man.

Left a girl in West Virginia,
Up there where that green grass grows,
Yes, I did.
Another girl in Cincinnati,
Waitin' where the Ohio River flows,
Poor girl!
I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't give your heart to a ramblin' man.

You'd better move away,
You're standin' too close to the flame.
Once I mess with your mind,
Your little heart won't beat the same.
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man.
Better not!

Well, up in Chicago,
I was known as "Quiet Boy,"
Yes, I was!
Down in Alabama,
They call me "The man of joy,"
Still do!
Well, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't fall in love with a ramblin' man.

You'd better move away,
You're standin' too close to the flame.
Once I mess with your mind,
Your little heart won't beat the same.
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man.