Mister and Mississippi

(Irving Gordon)



I can't recall my mother,

I don't remember dad

Mister and Mississippi

Was all I ever had.



Oh, I was born to wander,

I was born to roam

And Mister and Mississippi

Made me feel at home.



Oh, I was born to wander

I was born to roam

And Mister and Mississippi

Made me feel at home.



My cradle was the river

My school a river boat

My teacher was a gambler

The slickest one afloat.



My teacher was a gambler

The slickest one afloat

He taught me not to gamble

On a petticoat.



Oh, I was born to wander

I was born to roam

And Mister and Mississippi

Made me feel at home.



Oh, Betty Mae I love you

I love you Betty Mae

I love you like a barefoot boy

Loves a summer day.



The way a wandering gypsy

Loves the changing scenes

Just like the restless river

Loves old New Orleans.



Oh, I was born to wander

I was born to roam

And Mister and Mississippi

Made me feel at home.



I'd love a tiny village

A quite country town

A house, a little garden

With kiddies running 'round.



I'd be a faithful husband

I'd be a trusting friend

Until I heard that steamboat

Coming 'round the bend.



Oh, I was born to wander

I was born to roam

And Mister and Mississippi

Made me feel at home...