Now 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 woman
Are gonna flood you Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die

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
Was back downstream Cavortin' in Davenport
And I followed you, Big River, when you called

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

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge
River Queen, roll it on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me