Big River was written by Johnny Cash, he recorded the song and released it as a single on Sun Records in March 1958.
Big River was later included on the album "Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous" by Johnny Cash in November 1958.
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash Something on his Mind?
Big River Lyrics
Now, I taught a weeping willow how to cry,
and I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman
are gonna flood you, Big River.
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota,
and it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, southern drawl.
Then I heard my dream went back downstream, cavorting in Davenport.
And I followed you, Big River, when you called.
Then you took me to St. Louis later on, down the river.
A freighter said she's been here, but she's gone, boy, she's gone.
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the bluff.
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.
Now, won't you batter down Baton Rouge? River Queen, roll it on.
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans.
Go on, I've had enough; dump my blues down in the gulf.
She loves you, Big River, more then me.
Now, I taught a weeping willow how to cry,
and I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman
are gonna flood you, Big River.
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
"Big River" Video Performances
Below you can watch and listen to Johnny Cash Performing "Big River."
One from the 1960s and one from the 1990s.
Here's Johnny on the Grand Ole Opry in 1962.
"A tour of the whole South ... wonderful!"
Here is Johnny performing Big River at a festival in of all places, Denmark. Which seems a bit of a curious juxtaposition
but I'm sure Danes like music of all types as just as much as any other country.
