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

Well I met her accidentally in St Paul, Minnesota
Tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
I heard my Queen, went back downstream towards ol' Davenport,
Well I followed you, Big River, when you called

I followed you to St Louis later on River Queen
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I caught her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block
She raised her two eyebrows and she walked on down alone

Whoa batten on down Baton Rouge, River Queen
Take that woman on down to Orleans, New Orleans
I'm gone, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me
Oh, she loves you, Big River, more than me