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  woman are gonna  flood you Big River.
  Then  I'm gonna sit right  here  un til I  die.
2. I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota).
And it tore me up ev'ry 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.
3. Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river).
freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone.
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block.
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.
4. Now, won't you batter 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.
5. Repeat 1