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 sweet delta dawn Let me dream of another morning And a time so long ago When the sweet magnolias blossomed And the cotton fields were white as snow Catfish john was a river hobo He lived and died on the river bend Thinking back I still remember I was proud to be his frien Born a slave in the town of vicksburg Traded for a chestnut mare Still he never spoke a in anger Though his load was hard to bear Come the morning I'd always be theredawn