[Verse 1]
All the fields are flooded up to Highway 51
Illinois is coming 'cross the bridge where the Old Ohio was
Don't look away, it will be gone
Kentucky and Missouri, a trinity of states
Nothing's in a hurry 'cept the water in between the rising banks
Oh, nothing moves but nothing stays

[Chorus]
Where the longing for the leaving and the welcome-home receiving join
Still I'll keep driving past the ghost of Cairo, Illinois

[Verse 2]
She used to be a beauty back in 1891
After Fort Defiance, now she's weathered by the river and the sun
She's still around but she is gone

[Chorus]
Where the longing for the leaving and the welcome-home receiving join
Still I'll keep driving past the ghost of Cairo, Illinois
Where the longing for the leaving and the welcome-home receiving join
Still I'll keep driving past the ghost of Cairo, Illinois