[Chorus]
Momma said, don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

[Verse 1]
Bring me back to another mornin'
To a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolia blossom
Cotton fields was white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo
Livin' down by the river's bed
Lookin' back, I still remember
I was proud to be his friend

[Chorus]
Momma said, don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

[Verse 2]
Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg
Traded for a chestnut mare
But still he never spoke in anger
Though his load was hard to bear
[Chorus]
Momma said, don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn