Roll on, sleepy waters, you rowing from night until morn.
Roll on, sleepy waters, Mississippi carry me home.
‘Cause I'm headed for dear ol' Southland, where I belong.

Jus' look at them rows of cotton, an' that good old sugarcane.
Jus' look at them rows of cotton, that good ol' sugarcane.
My feet is getting happy, I'll soon be back home again.

Ah, roll on sleep waters, while the clouds are dark an' blue.
Roll on sleep waters, while the moon is bright an' new.
I can hear my dear ol' mammy callin', my troubles will soon be through.

Now the whippoorwills is callin', for that Mississippi River stream.
Now the whippoorwills is callin', for that Mississippi River stream.
I'll soon be back in dear ol' Southland, the place I often see in my dream.

There stands Mammy Jennie, an' my mother by the cabin door.
There stands Mammy Jennie, my mother by the cabin door.
Willing to take me into her arms, mammy I'll never leave home no more.