Riverboat

Well, I spent the better part of my life

On a Mississippi riverboat

I used to be known from coast to coast

As the slickest gambler afloat.

I've dealt the cards from Minnesota

To the harbor in New Orleans

I made a lotta big money on the riverboat

I loved a lotta pretty riverboat queens.

Riverboat, riverboat

I love your whistle's wail

I wish I was back on the riverboart

'Stead of in the Memphis jail.

Oh, a big man got on the riverboat

Our last time in St. Paul

He had a lotta money but his luck went bad

And the riverboat won it all.

He said I dealt from the bottom of the deck

And he pulled a shiny knife

But before that gambler lunged at me

My .44 took his life.

Riverboat, riverboat

I love your whistle's wail

I wish I was back on the riverboart

'Stead of in the Memphis jail.

Well, they came on the boat and they took me to jail

When we got to Tennessee

A gamblin' man has very few friends

Guess nobody cared for me.

So I might be here for a many long years

But if I ever get out

I'm gonna head straight for that levee

And get me a riverboat headin' south.

Riverboat, riverboat

I love your whistle's wail

I wish I was back on the riverboart

'Stead of in the Memphis jail.

'Stead of in the Memphis jail...