Haulin Coal lyrics

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