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 [ ac.guitar ] 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