City of New Orleans (Live at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY - March 1990) - The Highwaymen

I taught the weepin' willow how to cry, cry, cry And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky And the tears I cried for that woman, are gonna flood you, big river And I'm gonna sit right here until I die (Willie Nelson) 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 went back downstream cavortin' in Davenport, And I followed you, big river, when she called. (Kris Kristofferson) Oh she 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" And I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block. Raised a few eyebrows and went on down alone. (Waylon Jennings) Well, I pulled into Natchez, next day down the river But there wasn't much there to make the rounders stay very long. When I left it was rainin' so nobody saw me cry. Big river, why she doin' me this way? (Johnny Cash, lead and all the others, harmony) 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 (Nelson, 1st line; Kristofferson, 2nd line; Jennings, 3rd line; Cash 4th line) I taught the weepin' willow how to cry, cry, cry And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky And the tears I cried for that woman, are gonna flood you, big river And I'm gonna sit right here until I die

Was it bitter then, With our backs against the wall? Were we better men, Than we'd ever been before? Say, if she came again today, Would you still answer to the call? Tell the truth my friend, Don't it matter anymore? We were simple men, By her side when she was born. Talkin' about the dream. It was simple then, Like the freedom when you fall. And we were smaller then you see, But soon we gathered like a storm. They don't understand What that thunder meant at all. Was he crucified, Was he done in by the law? Are you satisfied, That he'll never ride again? Some people say he got away, They say he never died at all. If that story's true, Does it bother you my friend? Was it bitter then, With our backs against the wall? Spoken Say, two thousand years ago. Were we better men, Than we'd ever been before? Spoken Or two hundred years ago. Say, if she came again today, Would you still answer to the call? Or tomorrow. Tell the truth my friend, Don't it matter anymore?

In my own way, I'm a believer. In my own way, right or wrong. I don't talk too much about it. It's something I keep workin' on. I don't have too much to build on, My faith has never been that strong. There is a man there in that buildin'. He's a holy man, they say. He keeps talkin' about tomorrow, While I keep strugglin' with today. He preaches hellfire and brimstone, And heaven seems so far away. I do believe in a higher power. One that loves us, one and all. Not someone to solve my problems, Or to catch me when I fall. He gave us all a mind to think with. And to know what's right or wrong. He is that inner spirit, That keeps us strong. In my own way, I'm a believer. But not in voices I can't hear. I believe in a lovin' father. One I never have to fear, That I should live life at its fullest, Just as long as I am here. Mmm-mmm, mmm-mm.