River Rat Lyrics - Dave Dudley

I was born on the banks of the river grew up in a floatin' shack 

Old Man River was my front yard we had snakes and frogs out back 

I learned to cry to a steamboat whistle I cut my teets on a pal of a cat 

From this big star just to make my mark 

I had to fight like a river rat I'm nothin' but a river rat 

Grab that net catch that fish it's all I've ever known 

Trap that otter don't you miss I'll give him the great alone 

With the temper of a stepped on rattler and the gall of a mean wild cat 

Well the strong survive and just to stay alive 

You gotta fight like a river rat I'm a meaner than a river rat 

[ guitar ] 

I had me a woman down the river she had eyes for me alone 

She was here last night but like this wood with the mornin' tide she was gone 

To the night like the great Big Muddy was runnin' wild as blind as a bat 

My dream was sank when it went over the bank 

It drawned all the river rats and I was runnin' like a river rat 

Grab that net... 

I'm nothin' but a river rat I'm a meaner than a river rat