Lyrics:

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]