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

[Verse 2]
Well, I met him accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
And it tore me up every time I heard him drawl, Southern drawl
Then I heard my dream was back downstream cavortin' in Davenport
And I followed you, big river, when you called

[Guitar and Fiddle Solos]

[Verse 3]
Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river
And a freighter said he's been here but he's gone, boys, he's gone
I found his trail in Memphis, but he just walked up the bluff
He raised a few eyebrows and went on down alone

[Verse 4]
So won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
Take that man on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the Gulf
He loves you, big river, more than me
[Fiddle and Guitar Solos]

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