Down by the river where the big boats go by
Each day you could see them as evening was nigh
They planned to be married at the first sign of spring
And Jim would take Cindy to see New Orleans.
The town folks would smile as they sat there alone
Jim talked of the day he'd make Cindy his own
He saved his money to buy her a ring
And take his sweet Cindy to see New Orleans.
One day a riverboat gambler chanced by
And captured her heart with his sweet words and lies
He told her come with me and you'll be a queen
So they left together to see New Orleans.
Each day you can see Jim though years have gone by
Down by the river where the big boats go by
She wrote she'd return at the first sign of spring
He's waiting for Cindy to see New Orleans...