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