I left a good job in the city
A workin' for the man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleep
While worryin' bout the way things might have been

Big wheels keep on turnin' Proud Mary keeps on burnin'
I said rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river

I cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis
Copped a lot of cane down in New Orleans
But I never saw the good side of the city
Till I hitched a ride on this river boat queen

Big wheels keep on turnin'

Well if you come down to the river
Well I bet you gonna find some people who live
You don't have to worry if you have no money
People on the river are happy to give

I said the big wheels keep on turnin'

I said rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river