I left a good job in the city workin' for the man every night and day But I never lost a minute of sleepin' Worryin' bout the way things might have been Big wheels keep on turnin' Proud Mary keeps on burnin' Rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river I cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis chopped a lotta cane down in New Orleans But I never saw the good side of the city till I hitched a ride on a river boat queen Big wheels keep on turnin' Proud Mary keeps on burnin' Rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river Now if you come down to the river I bet you gonna find some people who live You don't have to worry and if you got no money people on the river are happy to give Big Wheels keep on turnin' Proud Mary keeps on burnin' Rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river Rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river rollin' rollin' rollin' on the river