Big River is a song that was written and recorded by Johnny Cash. It was r… Read Full Bio ↴Big River is a song that was written and recorded by Johnny Cash. It was released as single by Sun Records in 1958. It reached to #4 on the Billboard country music charts and stayed on the charts for 14 weeks. The song is about a chase of a lost love along the course of Mississippi River from St. Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Big River
Johnny Cash Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 Johnny Cash's "Big River" describe the travels and heartbreak of the singer, who follows a woman he loves down the Mississippi River. The chorus, "And 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," suggests that the singer has faced difficulty and heartbreak in his relationship and is seeking some sort of revenge or catharsis by invoking the natural world to contribute to his misery.

Line by Line Meaning

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry
I've been through heartbreak and sadness, and I've shared that pain with nature

And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
I've been through dark times that even the sunniest days couldn't shine through

And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
The river that runs through my life will feel the effects of my heartbreak and pain

Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I'm not going to run away from my sorrows, I will face them and deal with them until the end of my days

I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota)
I didn't plan to fall in love with her, it happened unexpectedly

And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
Her accent reminded me of something I couldn't have, and it hurt me deeply

Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport
When I learned that she was back in the area, my heart was reignited with hope

And I followed you, Big River, when you called
I let the river guide me towards her, in hopes of rekindling our love

Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river)
The river continued to guide me towards her, leading me to different parts of the country

A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I keep missing her by just a little bit, and it feels like my chances of getting her back are slipping away

I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block
I'm so close to finding her, but she's always one step ahead of me

She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
She's a fiercely independent woman, and she's not going to let anyone stop her from doing what she wants

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
I'm pleading with the river to keep moving and take me to her, even if it means knocking down obstacles in its path

Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
I want her to go with the flow and explore new places, even if it's without me

Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
I'm tired of chasing after her and being stuck in this painful cycle, I'm ready to let go and move on

She loves you, Big River, more than me
The river is her true love, and I can't compete with that

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny R. Cash

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Anonymous

on Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone

There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam

Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep

Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams

I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home