I was just the age of sixteen when I first went on the drive,

After six months hard labor, at home I did arrive.

I courted with a pretty girl, t'was her caused me to roam,

Now I'm just a river driver and I'm far away from home.



I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry,

Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by,

And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam,

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.



I'll build a lonesome castle upon some mountain high,

Where she can sit and view me as I go passing by

Where she can sit and view me as I go marching on, 

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.



I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry,

Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by,

And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam,

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.



When I am old and feeble and in my sickness lie,

Just wrap me up in a blanket and lay me down to die

Just get a little bluebird to sing for me alone,

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.



I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry,

Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by,

And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam,

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.



I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry,

Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by,

And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam,

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.

For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home.