Mama said don't go near that river
Don't be hanging around old catfish john
But come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn

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

Catfish john was a river hobo
He lived and died on the river bend
Thinking back I still remember
I was proud to be his frien

Born a slave in the town of vicksburg
Traded for a chestnut mare
Still he never spoke a in anger
Though his load was hard to bear
Come the morning I'd always be theredawn