[Verse 1]
I taught the weeping willow how to cry
Showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
Tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you, big river
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die

[Verse 2]
I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
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

[Verse 3]
Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river
A freighter said she's been there, but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the bluff
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone

[Verse 4]
So won't you batter down to Baton Rouge? River Queen, roll it on
Send my woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough, throw my blues down in the Gulf
She loves you, big river, more than me

[Verse 5]
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
The tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you, big river
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die
[Outro]
Hey
I'm gonna sit right here until I die