[Verse 1]
Well, I taught weepin' willow how to cry, cry, cry
Taught the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
But the tears I cried for that woman are gonna drown, Big River
And I'm-a gonna sit right here until I die

[Verse 2]
I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl (Southern drawl)
Then I heard my dream went back downstream, cavorting in Davenport
And I followed you, Big River, when you called (Ah, guitar)

[Guitar Solo]
(Billy Byrd)

[Verse 2]
Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river
A freighter says, "Shе's been here, but she's gonе, boy, she's gone"
Well, I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked off the bluff
She raised a few eyebrows, and then went to town alone

[Verse 3]
Ah, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, rollin' on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough, I dumped my blues down in the Gulf
Says she loves you, Big River, more than me
[Verse 4]
Well, I taught weepin' willow how to cry, cry, cry
I taught the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
But the tears I cried for that woman are gonna drown you, Big River
And I'm-a gonna sit right here until I die