I was just the age of sixteen when I first went on the drive After six months hard labor, at home I did arrive I courted with a pretty girl, t'was her 'caused me to roam Now I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home I'll build a lonesome castle upon some mountain high Where she can sit and view me as I go passing by Where she can sit and view me as I go marching on For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home When I am old and feeble and in my sickness lie Just wrap me up in a blanket and lay me down to die Just get a little bluebird to sing for me alone For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home For I'm a river driver and I'm far away from home