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