Catfish John

Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
 "Don't be hanging round 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
 Cotton fields were white as snow
 Catfish John was a river hobo
 Lived and died by the river's 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 round 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 Richmond
 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 round 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 round 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