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

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, darlin' how I love you, what more is there to say?
I love you like a barefoot girl loves the summer day
The way a wanderin' gypsy loves the changing sea
Just like the restless river loves old New Orleans

I love a tiny village, a quiet country town
A house, a little garden with kiddies runnin' 'round
You'd be a faithful husband, I'd be a trusty friend
Until I heard that steamboat comin' 'round the bend

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