[ Chorus ]
[D] Momma said don't go [G] near that [D] river 
Don't be hanging round ole Catfish [A] John 
But come the [D] morning I'd [G] always [D] be there 
Walking in his footsteps in that [A] sweet delta [D] dawn
--- 
 
[ 1st verse ]
 
Born a [G] slave in the town of [D]Vicksburg 
Traded [G] for a chestnut [A] mare 
But he [G] never spoke in [D] anger 
Though his load was [A] hard to [D] bear 
 
Chorus 
 
[ 2nd verse ]
 
Let me [G] dream of another [D] morning 
Of a [G] time so long [A] ago 
Where the [G] sweet magnolias [D] blossom 
And the cotton fields were [A] white as snow