I can't recall my mother
I don't remember dad
Mister and Mississippi
Was all I ever had

Oh, I was born to wander
Oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

Oh, I was born to wander
Oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

My cradle was the river
My school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat

He taught me not to gamble
On a petticoat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat

Oh, I was born to wander
Oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

Oh Betty Mae, I love you, I love you, Betty Mae
I love you like a barefoot boy loves a summer day
The way a wand'ring gypsy loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river loves old New Orleans
Oh, I was born to wander...