James River blues
I just heard the awful news
I could steer around the rocks
But they're bustin' down the docks
James River blues
That train came on through
And the work's gotten slow
So where's a boat man to go?
I think I'll float on down
To Richmond town
They don't need us anymore
Hauling freight from shore to shore
That big iron hauls much more
Than we ever could before
I've seen good men going wrong
I've seen bad ones get it right
As that river rolls along
I'll be steppin' out tonight
On the cool flow
Floatin' down, down below
The bridge till the waters edge
From the ridge to the ledge
From the hills to the sea
I'll become a memory
James River blues
James River blues
James River blues