[Intro]
Mark twain, mark twain, mark twain
Watch that towhead over to larboard
Mark three, quarter-less three
Watch that snag now over to starboard
Half twain, quarter-less twain
Now we're sliding, stern's coming 'round
Miss that bar where the Mississippi Lady went aground
Ride us easy, easy river
Mark twain, quarter twain
Quarter-less twain, mark twain

[Chorus]
Where you been, river?
Where you goin' today?
What you bringin' me, river, river?
What you taking away?
What you bringin' me, river, river?
What you taking away?

[Post-Chorus]
Ride us easy, father of waters
Easy, whispering river
Ride us easy, easy, whispering Mississippi
Whispering, easy, whispering
[Verse]
Here's snow from the high Sierras
Here's cloud from Sault Sainte Marie
Here's springs from the roofs of the ranges
Washing down to the sea

[Chorus]
What towns you been drowning, river?
What lands adding on today?
What you bringin' me, river, river
What you taking away?

[Outro]
Watch that towhead over to larboard
Mark three, quarter-less three
Watch that snag now over to starboard
Half twain, quarter-less twain
Quarter twain, quarter-less twain, mark twain