(Irving Gordon)

I can't recall my mother,
I don't remember dad
Mister and Mississippi
Was all I ever had.

Oh, I was born to wander,
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.

My cradle was the river
My school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat.

My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat
He taught me not to gamble
On a petticoat.

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.

Oh, Betty Mae I love you
I love you Betty Mae
I love you like a barefoot boy
Loves a summer day.

The way a wandering gypsy
Loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river
Loves old New Orleans.

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.

I'd love a tiny village
A quite country town
A house, a little garden
With kiddies running 'round.

I'd be a faithful husband
I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat
Coming 'round the bend.

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home...