E5
I was just the age of sixteen when I first went on the drive,
       A5                         E5            B5
After six months hard labor, at home I did arrive.
   A5                                 E5               C#5
I courted with a pretty girl, t'was her caused me to roam ,
    E5                 C#5           Ab5           C#5
Now I'm just a river driver and I'm far away from home.

     E5
I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry,
     A5                             E5           B5
Get drunk whenever I'm ready, get sober by and by,
    A5                                   E5                 B5
And if this river don't drown me, it's down I'll mean to roam ,
     E5            A5            C#5            E5
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.