[Chorus]
Mama said, "Don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John"
Come the morning, I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn

[Verse 1]
Take me back to another morning
To a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolias blossom
Cotton fields was white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo
Lived and died by the river's bend
Looking back I still remember
I was proud to be his friend

[Chorus]
Mama said, "Don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John"
Come the morning, I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
Mama said, "Don't go near that rivеr
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John"
Come the morning, I'd always bе 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
Lord, he never spoke in anger
Though his load was hard to bear

[Chorus]
Mama said, "Don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John"
Come the morning, I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
Mama said, "Don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John"
Come the morning, I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn

[Outro]
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn