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 I cried for that man gonna flood you Big River.
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die.

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 went 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).
And a freighter said he's been here but he's gone, boy, he's gone.
I found his trail in Memphis, but he just walked up the block.
He raised a few eyebrows and went on down alone.

Won't you bat it 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.

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.