-- OR -- 
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover ... up a clear blue sky
And the tears that I cried for that woman ... are gonna flood you Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
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 was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport
And I followed you Big River when you called
BREAK
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
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
Now, won't you paddle down by Baton Rouge River Queen, rollin 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
BREAK
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry cry cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover ... up a clear blue sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman ... are gonna flood you Big River.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.