When The Pilot came to town
He had not the time
Or a license to run down
The river he loved
But he had himself a fiddle
And an old time charm
And he made his living that way
A colleague of the masters
His work, they would know
And earned him every honor
Awarded to those
From the doctor to the father
From the gentle to the king
A common love for an uncommon man
But Old Man River sings his own songs
With a muddy lullaby
Calling, sweetly, for his children
As they "watch the river roll by"
His songs, they flowed like water
His melodies like air
His words came with a whistle
With no worry or care
You didn't have to look too close
To really understand
The Pilot's heart longed for the Cumberland
So he would study in the kitchen
Review in the hall
Read text books in the bath tub
Until wrinkled and raw
Until he felt he was ready
To put it to the test
He lay aside his bowler hat and vest
Cause Old Man River sings his own songs
With a muddy lullaby
Calling, sweetly, for his children
As they "watch the river roll by"
Rolling down on the river
Troubles flow away like water
You can hear the song he's singing
Above the paddle
The whistle and the steam
Riding down with the Pilot
Standing strong and ready at the wheel
Take us down
Steady as she goes
Take us down
His soul steamed powered
Like an "Aireoplane"
His life and his love
A strong burning flame
As he rolled on through the decades
His life's work was clear
But he held is dream so dear
And so he was The Pilot
River songs he would share
Till they needed a good man
For their river up there
Full ahead Dear Pilot
Full ahead and Godspeed
As you roll down the river of dreams
Cause Old Man River sings his own songs
With a muddy lullaby
Calling, sweetly, for his children
As they "watch the river roll by"
Rolling down on the river
Troubles flow away like water
You can hear the song he's singing
Above the paddle
The whistle and the steam
Riding down with the Pilot
Standing strong and ready at the wheel
Take us down
Steady as she goes
Take us down
Take us down
Steady as she goes
Take us down