I just heard that whistle blow. Gonna go down the river once more.
Well, I've got my bag and I'm ready to go. Gonna go down the river once more.
Gonna leave St. Louis, go to New Orleans. Eat a little bacon. Eat a little beans.
Have a good time like I did before. Gonna go down the river once more.
Chorus:
Gonna go down the river, gonna go down the river, gonna go down the river once more. (Repeat)
Gonna load that cotton on the boat by the bale. Gonna go down the river once more.
Gonna quit my drinkin'. Gonna stay out of jail. Gonna go down the river once more.
Yeah, my little woman's gonna say goodbye, wavin' her hand with a tear in her eye.
Leave these docks about a quarter to four. Gonna go down the river once more.
(Chorus - interlude - chorus)
Gonna ride that boat to the glory land. Gonna go down the river once more.
Hey, I'll do a little dance with a riverboat band. Gonna go down the river once more.
I've got my banjo ready to play, hey, we'll shout and sing both night and day.
I'll make my bed on the riverboat floor. Gonna go down the river once more.