They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they wonÂ't bite

They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flatheadÂ's a hiddinÂ'.
IÂ'm a gonna take him home with me tonight


I am the king of Looseyhatchie
My home is on the river

And them catfish they all know me by my sigh
I keep my nose on the westwind
My eye on the water

And my mind on my business all the time

Well I get me a plug a days worth of tobacco

And a can a big ole redworms
I go down to where the rivers runninÂ' strong
I throw my hook out on the water

I let it float on down the channel
And IÂ'll have me a big ole flathead Â'for too long


Oh when they bury me I want to be somewhere on the river
With a big ole flathead layinÂ' on my stone
And them catfish will all be prayin

TheyÂ'll be flatheads up in heaven
So my ghost will leave them hatchie cats alone