Gonna pick up some of them empties here Just as soon as we know where they lay Tied off of them jolly and leaving lines On a long hot summer day For every day i work on the illinois river Get a half a day off with pay All day long i'm makin' up barges On a long hot summer day Well, i got me a gal in peking She's a good ol' gal okay I bet she's sitting a window fan On a long hot summer day For every day i work on the illinois river Get a half a day off with pay All day long i'm makin' up barges On a long hot summer day Last night we had pork for supper Today it'll be chicken consomme And a fruit jar full of iced tea On a long hot summer day For every day i work on the illinois river Get a half a day off with pay All day long i'm makin' up barges On a long hot summer day Well, we put a man off in beardstown When we come down yesterday I'm gonna off down at alton On a long hot summer day For every day i work on the illinois river Get a half a day off with pay All day long i'm makin' up barges On a long hot summer day