Big River
By John R. Cash
Recorded 11/12/57; Number 4 - Country Chart
First time played by the Grateful Dead 12/31/71 Winterland Arena, SF.Calif
Last time played 7/6/95 Riverport Amp-Maryland Heights, Mo.

Note-Johnny Cash played this song with the root note being in G-the Grateful Dead started with the root note being A- Enjoy playing it!

A
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry cry cry,
And I showed the clouds how to cover
          B                 E
 up a clear blue sky.
A     
And the tears that I cried for that
                                  D
 woman are gonna flood you Big River.
A                               E                        A
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
(repeat this progression in whatever root note you choose throughout the other verses!!!!!

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,
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.

Thanks to Johnny Cash for writing such a definitely American story type song-
Thanks to the Grateful Dead for helping me to listen to the song in a totally different light-
My dad preferred the Johnny Cash version and played it on the 8-track player all the time-bless his heart!! He actually appreciated the Grateful Dead's version-I don't think he really knew who it was playing it when i had it on my cassette player.!!

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