Catfish John

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
Where the sweet magnolia blossomed
Cotton fields are 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 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, 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

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
Walking in his footsteps in
The sweet Delta dawn

That sounds cool