"Down On The Levee" lyrics

I must go down on the levee again
With the muddy river and sky
All ask for is a stern-wheel boat
And some horns to steer her by

Bow your wheels, keep an eye on the roof
Pilot house window a shaking
Full moon, Missouri sky
Foggy morning a breaking

I must go down on the levee again
When river is up, and shes wide
Hear that lonesome whistle
A call that cannot be denied

Step on board some southbound boat
Sail all the way to the sea
At home on the muddy river
Is where I want to be

Must get a job on the River again
Where the river runs good and wide
Clean the stairs, move the chairs
Sleep up on the deck sometimes

Stories heard on the lazy bench
How big the search lights are
Carrying coffee up to the old man
Stumblin' in the dark

Here's to you old real steamboat
With double-swinging stages
Compound condensing engines
Real old funny looking gauges

May your wheels be free of driftwood
May you never run a-ground
May all your winds, be tail winds
And may all your trips be down