Mama said: Don't go near that river Don't be hanging around old Catfish John Come the morning I'd always be there Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg, traded for a chestnut mare He never spoke in anger though his load was hard to bear. Mama said: Don't go near that river Don't be hanging around old Catfish John Come the morning I'd always be there Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn Catfish John was a river hobo he lived and died on the river bend Looking back I still remember I was proud to be his friend Mama said: Don't go near that river Don't be hanging around old Catfish John Come the morning I'd always be there Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn Take me back to another morning To a time so long ago When the sweet magnolia blossomed And the cotton fields were white as snow Mama said: Don't go near that river Don't be hanging around old Catfish John Come the morning I'd always be there Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn Come the morning I'd always be there Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn