Lyrics: Johnny Cash
Music: Johnny Cash
One of the songs Bob Weir sang most frequently with the Dead.
He also sang it at least once with Kingfish.
And more recently with Ratdog and Weir/Wasserman.
Chorus
Well I taught that weepin' willow how to cry, cry, cry
Taught the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
Tears I cried for that woman gonna flood you, big river
I'm gonna sit right here until I die
Well I met her accidentally in St Paul, Minnesota
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl that southern drawl
Then I heard my dream went back downstream cavorting in Davenport
And I followed you big river when you called
[chorus]
Well I followed her to St Louis later on down the river
A freighter says she's been here, but she's gone, boy, she's gone
Well I found her trail in Memphis but she just walked up the bluff
Raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
[chorus]
Now won't you bat it down by Baton Rouge, river queen rolling on
Take that woman down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on I've had enough, dump my blues down in the Gulf
She loves you, big river, more than me
[chorus]
Grateful Dead and Related Recordings
Recordings from dead.net Tapers Section
"The Dead" Concert Recordings
Ratdoglive CDs and downloads
Phil Lesh and Friends Digital Download Series