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
Aint much pay for a man

Chorus:
Haulin coal down the down river
And he wont 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 shes got a grandson

Chorus:
Haulin coal down the down river
And he wont be comin home for a long time

Rivers 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 aint much hope for a man

Chorus:
Haulin coal down the down river
And he wont be comin home for a long time

Haulin coal down the down river
Ill be gone a long time

Haulin coal down the down river
Ill be gone a long while