Momma said don't go near that river Don't be hangin' 'round old Catfish John Come the mornin' I'd always be there Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
Let me dream of another mor-ornin' And a ti-ime so long ago When the sweet magnolia blossom Cotton fields were white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo Livin' by the river bed Thinkin' back, I still remember I was proud to be his friend
Momma said don't go near that river Don't be hangin' 'round old Catfish John Come the mornin' I'd always be there Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg Traded for a chestnut mare But still he never spo-oke in anger Though his load was hard to bear
Momma said don't go near that river Don't be hangin' 'round old Catfish John Come the mornin' I'd always be there Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
Momma said don't go near that river Don't be hangin' 'round old Catfish John Come the mornin' I'd always be there [fade]