Oh you Mississippi river with waters so deep and wide My thoughts of you keep rising just like an evening tide I'm just like a seagull that's left the sea Oh your muddy waters keep on calling me I'm gonna pack my grip and head that way You'll see me hanging round again some day 'Cause I know that's the only way to lose the Mississippi river blues I've often ridden on your bosom from Memphis down to New Orleans Floating over muddy waters drifting through familiar scenes And when I hear that whistle of an old steamboat Down that Mississippi river again I'm a going to float I'm gonna pack my grip and head that way You'll see me hanging round again some day 'Cause I know that's the only way to Lose that mean old Mississippi river blues