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
Ain't Much Pay For a Man

Chorus:
Haulin' Coal Down the Down River
And He Won't 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 She's Got a Grandson

Chorus:
Haulin' Coal Down the Down River
And He Won't Be Comin' Home For a Long Time

River's 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 Ain't Much Hope For a Man

Chorus:
Haulin' Coal Down the Down River
And He Won't Be Comin' Home For a Long Time

Haulin' Coal Down the Down River
I'll Be Gone a Long Time

Haulin' Coal Down the Down River
I'll Be Gone a Long While