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, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

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Oh, I was born to wander, oh, 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.

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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 wand'ring gypsy, loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river, loves old New Orleans.

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I'd love a tiny village, a quite country town
A house, a little garden, with kiddies runnin' 'round
I'd be a faithful husband, I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat, comin' 'round the bend.

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