Taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
But the tears I shed for that woman are going to flood you, Big River
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die

Well I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
And she tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
And I heard my dream way back Downstream, cavortin' in Davenport
And I followed you, Big River, when you called

Well then you took me on down to St. Louis later on, down the river
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
Well I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the bluff
She raised a few eyebrows and then she walked down alone

Why won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, rollin' on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Oh won't I've a-had enough
Left my blues down in the Gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me