Mama said, "Don't go near that river,
Don't be hanging around old Catfish John"
Come in 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, cotton fields as white as snow

Catfish John was a river hobo who lived and died by the river's bed,
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 in 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,
Lord her never spoke in anger though his load was hard to bear

Mama said, "Don't go near that river,
Come in the morning I'd always be there,
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn