" 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
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