Wasting away on the mighty Mississippi Hoping god forgives me for my sins Well starlight stained steamboats, and a rich man clears his throat Took a sip of whiskey from his glass The piano plays softly and his daughter screamed, "get off me" His wife she died a few years back He drinks and drinks for days but the memories they stay And the tears they flow like alcohol Well his daughter she loves me, said she's always thinkin of me That's why I stand here on this boat today I watched a rich man clear his throat But what that rich man doesn't know is that I'll take his life away Please forgive me god for the things I've done I could hide my problems, I could run But it was I who held the gun, and I am the setting sun And I promise I will never, ever run I said, "take me down where the lovers died." Where those steamboats don't go, and that Mississippi flows all night Wastin' away where the lovers died Wastin away on the mighty Mississippi Hoping god forgives me for my sins Well It was I who held the gun and I am the setting sun And I promise I will never, ever run