I've been down the mississippi,
Down through new orleans,
Yes, I have
I've played in california,
There ain't too much I haven't seen
No, there ain't
Well, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't fool around with a ramblin' man

Left a girl in west virginia,
Up there where that green grass grows,
Yes, I did
Another girl in cincinnati,
Waitin' where the ohio river flows,
Poor girl!
I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't give your heart to a ramblin' man

You'd better move away,
You're standin' too close to the flame
Once I mess with your mind,
Your little heart won't beat the same
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man
Better not!

Well, up in chicago,
I was known as "quiet boy,"
Yes, I was!
Down in alabama,
They call me "the man of joy,"
Still do!
Well, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't fall in love with a ramblin' man

You'd better move away,
You're standin' too close to the flame
Once I mess with your mind,
Your little heart won't beat the same
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man