If I were born to be a river If a river is all I'd be I'd tell the giver of all of the rivers To make me the Tennessee How many drops of rain roll of how many windowpanes ♪ Down to a valley low where a river like me begins to grow I sing a mournful song as I rush a ramble along I bury secrets deep I keep them down where the catfish creep Where the rolling tide can't reach the things that I hide I hum a mournful tune in the Alabama June ♪ And I sing ♪ Even the Tennessee river runs low When the sky is bright and clear Not a cloud above you You can float in knowing, dear That I was made to love you When the storm is raging All the light is fading The river sings along with me Reaching for that minor key Color me blue and gray River, carry me fast away Flood all the rocks and grills On for the mighty hill I am the Tennessee See you down at the stormy sea And I sing ♪ Even the Tennessee river runs low The Tennessee river runs low Even the Tennessee river runs low