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 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 Saint Paul, Minnesota
And it tore me up every time
I heard her drawl, southern drawl
Then I heard my dream
Went back downstream
Cavorting in Davenport
And I followed you, big river
When you called
Then you took me to Saint 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 bluff
She raised a few eyebrows
And went on down alone
Now, won't you paddle down by Baton Rouge
River Queen, rolling 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
Now 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 woman
Are gonna flood you, big river
Then I'm gonna sit right here
Until I die