Sides face grand square
Catfish John was a river hobo
He lived and died by the river bend
Looking back, I still remember
I was proud to be his friend
Circle left
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
Left allemande and promenade ole Catfish John
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

Heads (Sides) promenade halfway around the ring and then
Lead to the right and do a right & left thru
Veer to the left, couples circulate
Bend the line and do the right & left thru
Touch 1/4, single file circulate
Boys run, swing the corner lady
Promenade go round the ring
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

Sides face grand square
Let me dream of another mornin' and a time so long ago
Where the sweet magnolias blossomed, cotton fields were white as snow
Circle left
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
Left allemande and promenade ole Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

Four ladies promenade go one time around
Come back swing your man and then
Join your hands make a ring, circle left go walkin' round
Left allemande and weave the ring
Mama said, "Don't go near that river."
Swing your lady, promenade ole Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

Sides face grand square (16 steps)
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn