I can't recall my Mother, I don't remember Dad Mister and Mississippi was all I ever had Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.
CHORUS Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.
My cradle was the river, my school a river boat My teacher was a gambler, the slickest one afloat My teacher was a gambler, the slickest one afloat He taught me not to gamble on a petticoat.
CHORUS
Oh! Betty Mae, I love you, I love you Betty Mae I love you like a barefoot boy, loves a summer day The way a wand'ring gypsy, loves the changing scenes Just like the restless river, loves old New Orleans.
CHORUS
I'd love a tiny village, a quite country town A house, a little garden, with kiddies runnin' 'round I'd be a faithful husband, I'd be a trusting friend Until I heard that steamboat, comin' 'round the bend.