Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Catfish John Chords

Mama said don’t go near that river
Don’t be hangin’ around old catfish John
But come the morning I’d always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn.

Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg
Traded for a chestnut mare
He never spoke a word in anger
Though his load was hard to bear.

Mama said don’t go near that river
Don’t be hangin’ around old catfish John
But come the morning I’d always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn.

Catfish John was a river hobo
He lived and died on the river bend
Lookin’ back I still remember
I was proud to be his friend.

Mama said don’t go near that river
Don’t be hangin’ around old catfish John
But come the morning I’d always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn.

Let me dream of another morning
And a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolias blossomed
And the cotton fields were white as snow.

Mama said don’t go near that river
Don’t be hangin’ around old catfish John
But come the morning I’d always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn.

Come the morning I’d always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn.