They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite
They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.
I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight

I am the king of Looseyhatchie
My home is on the river
And them catfish they all know me by my sigh
I keep my nose on the westwind
My eye on the water
And my mind on my business all the time

Well I get me a plug a days worth of tobacco
And a can a big ole redworms
I go down to where the rivers runnin' strong
I throw my hook out on the water
I let it float on down the channel
And I'll have me a big ole flathead ‘for too long

They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite
They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.
I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight

Oh when they bury me I want to be somewhere on the river
With a big ole flathead layin' on my stone
And them catfish will all be prayin
They'll be flatheads up in heaven
So my ghost will leave them Hatchie cats alone

They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite
They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.
And I'm a gonna take him home with me
I'm a gonna take him home with me
I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight...