Verse 1

I left St. Louis in early May,
Scrapin’ along day to day
Had to get up and go, and make a switch
Instead of workin’ so hard to make the boss man rich
Told my mama gonna try my hand,
Livin’ the life of a gamblin’ man
I played a few cards and I always did well
I heard the call of the wild in the riverboat bell,
Call of the wild in the riverboat bell

Chorus

Black smoke curlin’ out of the stack
White water churnin’ all around in back
I’m a seeker of fortune, or maybe a bum
Ridin’ this river, whatever may come
Diamond Jim Brady’s got nothin’ on me
And Old Man River’s gonna set me free
I’m gonna follow this stream to New Orleans
And gamble my way to fortune

Verse 2

Diamond Jim Brady's got nothin' on me
And Old Man River's gonna set me free
I'm gonna follow this stream to New Orleans
And gamble my way to fortune.

Verse 3

Hit a bar in Memphis, the pickin’s were good
Gamblers green as fresh cut wood
A few good hands, a lucky bluff
I kept on playin’ ‘til they had enough
Then headed for Natchez on the Robert E. Lee
Playin’ the tables every night until three
A week in Natchez, my luck still held
Lou’siana here I come on the Liberty Belle
Here I come on the Liberty Belle

Chorus

Verse 4

Goin' down yonder, yes I am.
Gonna wander down to New Orleans.
I'm gonna gamble and play my hand.
Gonna gamble my way to fortune.