Album: Rufus
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 homeI 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