Steamin' down the muddy waters Travelin' yonder from bay to bay I been workin' on the barge line Fourteen years ago today Eighteen hours hard labor by the day Ain't much pay for a man
Chorus: Haulin' coal down the down river And he won't be comin' home for a long time
Torches burning by the riverside Cast their shadows grey as stone And the cool October days replacing Much warmer thoughts of home I can still see grandma sittin' on the porch Tellin' the neighbors she's got a grandson
Chorus: Haulin' coal down the down river And he won't be comin' home for a long time
River's rising up the marker line While the willows softly moan Sun is rising over the starboard shore Paving the golden road back home
I can still see the kids jumpin' rope But there ain't much hope for a man
Chorus: Haulin' coal down the down river And he won't be comin' home for a long time
Haulin' coal down the down river I'll be gone a long time
Haulin' coal down the down river I'll be gone a long while
