Lyrics: Bob McDill, Alan Reynolds
Music: Bob McDill, Alan Reynolds
Played by Garcia both with Old And In The Way and with the JGB
Chorus
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
"Don't be hanging round old Catfish John"
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Take me back to another morning (note 1)
To a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolia blossomed (note 2)
Cotton fields were white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo
Lived and died by the river's bend
Looking back I still remember
I was proud to be his friend
[chorus]
Born a slave in the town of Richmond (note 3)
Traded for a chestnut mare
Lord, he never spoke in anger
Though his load was hard to bear
[chorus]
[chorus]
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Notes
The lyrics above are for the version with Old And In The Way. There are minor differences in the version Jerry later recorded with his band:
(1) Jerry sang "Take me back ..." on Reflections
(2) Jerry sang "Where the sweet magnolia blossoms" on Reflections
(3) Jerry sang "... the town of Vicksburg" on Reflections
Music: Bob McDill, Alan Reynolds
Played by Garcia both with Old And In The Way and with the JGB
Chorus
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
"Don't be hanging round old Catfish John"
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Take me back to another morning (note 1)
To a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolia blossomed (note 2)
Cotton fields were white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo
Lived and died by the river's bend
Looking back I still remember
I was proud to be his friend
[chorus]
Born a slave in the town of Richmond (note 3)
Traded for a chestnut mare
Lord, he never spoke in anger
Though his load was hard to bear
[chorus]
[chorus]
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Notes
The lyrics above are for the version with Old And In The Way. There are minor differences in the version Jerry later recorded with his band:
(1) Jerry sang "Take me back ..." on Reflections
(2) Jerry sang "Where the sweet magnolia blossoms" on Reflections
(3) Jerry sang "... the town of Vicksburg" on Reflections