Went away up the river some forty mile or more
I think I heard that big Jim Lee whistle blow
She blow so lonesome, like she wasn't gonna blow no more
It blowed just like my baby gettin' on board
I'm a poor old boy an' a long way from home
And you causin' me to leave my plumb good home
My Mama she is dead' and my father well could be
I ain't got nobody to feel and care for me
If you don't want me just give me your hand
And I'll get a woman quick as you can get a man
I've got a kid on the wheeler and a brown down in town
Got a plumb good man bringing down these gals of mine
I laid my head in a steamer woman's arms
And she laid her nappy head in mine
When I got arrested what do you reckon was my fine?
Says they give all coons eleven twenty-nine
It was moonshine, don't pay me no mind
'Cause I did not let no coons have mine
Well the big Jim Lee keep a-backing up and down
Keep standin' by the shore, man, if you're water bound