For seven long years I courted Sally
Away, you rolling river!
Across the seas and Shinebone Alley
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
Away, you rolling river!
She would not take me for a lover
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
And yet, she took my fifteen dollars
Away, you rolling river!
I did not scream, I did not holler
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
Then off she went to Kansas city
Away, you rolling river!
With no remorse, nor any pity
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
I thought to go, to seek her, maybe
Away, you rolling river!
And then I heard she had a baby
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
Away, you rolling river!
A man of means, or else a soldier
Away, I'm bound away
For across the wide Missouri
So I'll drink rum, and I'll drink plenty
Away, you rolling river!
I'll fill my cup then drink it empty
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
I learned this song from Tommy Tompkins
Away, you rolling river!
He made it up, or that's my thinking
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri
Away, I'm bound away!
For across the wide Missouri