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



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, darlin' how I love you

What more is there to say

I love you like a barefoot girl

Loves the summer day

The way a wanderin' gypsy

Loves the changing sea

Just like the restless river

Loves old New Orleans



I love a tiny village

A quiet country town

A house, a little garden

With kiddies runnin' 'round

You'd be a faithful husband

I'd be a trusty friend

Until I heard that steamboat

Comin' 'round the bend



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