| Watch that towhead over to larboard | 
| Mark three, quarter less three | 
| Watch that snag now over to starboard | 
| Half twain, quarter less twain | 
| Now we’re sliding, stern’s coming round | 
| Miss that bar where the Mississippi Lady went aground | 
| Ride us easy, easy river | 
| Mark twain, quarter twain, quarter less twain, mark twain | 
| Where you been, river? | 
| Where you goin' today? | 
| What you bringin' me river, river | 
| What you takin' away? | 
| What you bringin' me river, river | 
| What you takin' away? | 
| Ride us easy, father of waters | 
| Easy, whisperin' river | 
| Ride us easy, easy, whisperin' Mississippi | 
| Whisperin' easy, whisperin' | 
| Here’s snow from the high sierras | 
| Here’s cloud from Soo San Marie | 
| Here springs from the roofs of the ranges | 
| Washing down to the sea | 
| What towns you been drowning, river? | 
| What lands adding on today? | 
| What you bringin' me, river, river | 
| What you takin' away? | 
| Here’s water from glacier mountains | 
| Here’s water from lakes and plains | 
| The world’s longest drink of water | 
| From God only knows what rains | 
| Who you been stealin' from, river? | 
| Who you been friendin' today? | 
| What you bringin' me, river, river | 
| What you takin' away? | 
| Watch that towhead over to larboard | 
| Mark three, quarter less three | 
| Watch that snag now over to starboard | 
| Half twain, quarter less twain | 
| Quarter twain, quarter less twain, mark twain |