Here comes that boat floating down the river
The south bound channel on the west side
It looks like the captain's pulling over
And I'm bound to take a ride
Take a ride

Well down at the dock I paid my fare
I paid only one way not two
I don't know where but I'll get there
And on my way I'll sing this tune
And when the night falls down on the southern city
And there's nothing left to do but play

Well opportunity is beckoning to me
And I'll make my way back home some day

Don't you know my daddy was a real hard worker
For us he did all he could do
Worked all day for the white collar man
So he could send us off to school
But I feel just like cryin
Because I didn't play by all his rules

Well opportunity is beckoning to me
And I'll make my way back home some day

Here comes that boat floating down the river
The south bound channel on the west side
It looks like the captain's pulling over
And I'm bound to take a ride
Take a ride

And when the night falls down on the southern city
And there's nothing left to do but play

Well opportunity is beckoning to me
And I'll make my way back home some day