Mama said don't go near that river, don't be hangin' round old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there, walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta Dawn
Let me dream of another morning, and a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolias blossomed, cotton fields were white as snow
Catfish John
Catfish John was a river hobo, lived and died where the river bends
Searching back, I still remember, I was proud to be his friend
Mama said don't go near that river, don't be hangin' round old Catfish John
Come the mornin'
Come the mornin' I'd always be there, walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta Dawn
Born a slave in the town of Big Spur, traded for a chestnut maid
Still he never spoke
He never spoke in anger, though his load was hard to bear
Mama said don't go near that river, don't be hangin' round old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there, walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet Delta Dawn
Born a slave in the town of Big Spur, traded for a chestnut maid
Still he never spoke in anger, though his load was hard to bear