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

Well I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota)
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
Then I heard my dream went back downstream cavortin' in Davenport
And I followed you, Big River, when you called

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

Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river)
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the bluff
Raised a few eyebrows and went on down alone

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

Won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough; dump my blues down in the gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me

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

Well I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
I taught the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
And the tears I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die
Yeah, I'm gonna sit right here until I die