Big River
Bob Dylan-Johnny Cash Lyrics

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Now I taught the 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.
Then 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 was back Downstream cavortin' 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 block.
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.

Now, won't you batter down by 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 than me.

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, 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.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash's song Big River are about heartbreak and a journey down the Mississippi River. The singer reminisces about a woman who he met in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her Southern drawl captured his heart but their relationship was short-lived. The woman ran away and the singer was left to follow her down the Big River. He searched for her in various cities along the way and found her trail in Memphis, but she had already left. The singer eventually realizes that the woman loves the Big River more than she loves him and he decides to stay where he is, waiting for his inevitable end.

The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is broken and lost, searching for a woman he cannot have. He is at the mercy of the river and its currents, following it wherever it may go in a futile attempt to find love. The metaphor of the weeping willow and the clear blue sky show the singer's sadness and how he wishes to cover it up. The tears that he cried for the woman will flood the Big River and he will stay there until he dies, unable to move on.

Overall, the song is a beautiful and heartbreaking testament to lost love and the journey of life. The Big River is used as a metaphor for the constant flow of events in life, taking us where we may not want to go, yet we follow anyway.

Line by Line Meaning

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry,
I am so heartbroken that even trees are crying. I have taught the weeping willow how to cry

And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
I am so sad that even nature mourns my pain. 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.
The river will be flooded with all the tears I cried for that woman

Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
I will stay right here, next to the river, until my last breath

I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota).
I met her by chance in St. Paul, Minnesota

And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl.
Her Southern accent was so beautiful that it made me feel emotional every time I heard it

Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport,
I heard that the person I love is Downstream having fun in Davenport

And I followed you, Big River, when you called.
I followed the river, because it will lead me to my love

Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river).
The river led me to St. Louis

A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone.
I was told that my love has been here but she has already left

I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block.
I traced her trail to Memphis, but she just walked away without noticing me

She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.
She attracted some attention and then continued walking alone

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on.
River Queen, please keep moving down to Baton Rouge

Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans.
Take my love down to New Orleans

Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf.
I've had enough of this pain, dump my blues into the gulf

She loves you, Big River, more than me.
My love for her is nothing compared to her love for the river

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny R. Cash

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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