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