Mama said don't go near that river
Don't be hanging around old Catfish John
But come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn
Take me back, to another moment
To a time, so long ago
When the sweet, magnolias blossomed
The cotton fields, were white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo
He lived and died, by the rivers bend
Looking back, I still remember
I was proud, to be his friend
(verse chords)
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 bare
Mama said don't go near that river
Don't be hanging around old Catfish John
But 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