Mama said don't go near that river

Don't be hangin' around old catfish John

But come the morning I'd always be there

Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg

Traded for a chestnut mare

He never spoke a word in anger

Though his load was hard to bear.

Mama said don't go near that river

Don't be hangin' around old catfish John

But come the morning I'd always be there

Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

Guitar & fiddle solos:

Catfish John was a river hobo

He lived and died on the river bend

Thinkin' back I still remember

I was proud to be his friend.

Mama said don't go near that river

Don't be hangin' around old catfish John

But come the morning I'd always be there

Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

Banjo and mandolin solos

Let me dream of another morning

And a time so long ago

When the sweet magnolias blossomed

And the cotton-fields were white as snow.

Mama said don't go near that river

Don't be hangin' around old catfish John

But come the morning I'd always be there

Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

Come the morning I'd always be there

Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.