I just heard the awful news
I could steer around the rocks
But theyre bustin down the docks

James river blues
That train came on through
And the worlds gotten slow
So wheres a boat man to go

I think Ill float on down
To Richmond town
They dont need us anymore
hauling freight from shore to shore
That big iron hauls much more
than we ever could before

Ive see good men going wrong
Ive seen bad ones get it right
As that river rolls along
Ill 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
Ill become a memory
James River blues
James River blues
James River blues