Mama said don't go near that river
don't be hanging round ole Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there,
walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
Take me back to another home to a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolias blossomed cotton fields as white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo living down by the river's bend
Thinkin' back I still remember I was proud to be his friend
Mama said don't go near that river
don't be hanging round ole Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there,
walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
Born a slavery down in Richmond traded for a chestnut mare
Still he never spoke in anger though his load was hard to bear
Mama said don't go near that river
don't be hanging round ole Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there,
walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
(2x)
