I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry 
I taught the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky 
The tears I cried for that woman, they're gonna flood you, Big River 
I'm gonna lay right here until I die 

Well I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota 
Tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl 
I heard my Queen, went back downstream towards ol' Davenport, 
Well I followed you, Big River, when you called 

I followed you to St. Louis later on River Queen 
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone 
I caught her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block 
She raised her two eyebrows and she walked on down alone 

Whoa batten on down Baton Rouge, River Queen 
Take that woman on down to Orleans, New Orleans 
I'm gone, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf 
She loves you, Big River, more than me 
Oh, she loves you, Big River, more than me