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...