[Intro]

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Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry
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And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
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And the tears that I cried for that woman, are gonna flood you Big River
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Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die

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I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
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And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, southern drawl
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Then I heard my dream was back downstream, cavortin' in Davenport
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And I followed you, Big River, when you called

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Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river
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A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
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I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block
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She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone

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Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
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Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
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Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
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She loves you, Big River, more than me

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Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
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And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
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And the tears that I cried for that woman, are gonna flood you Big River
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Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die