Here comes that boat floating down the river The south bound channel on the west side It looks like the captain's pulling over And I'm bound to take a ride Take a ride Well down at the dock I paid my fare I paid only one way not two I don't know where but I'll get there And on my way I'll sing this tune And when the night falls down on the southern city And there's nothing left to do but play Well opportunity is beckoning to me And I'll make my way back home some day Don't you know my daddy was a real hard worker For us he did all he could do Worked all day for the white collar man So he could send us off to school But I feel just like cryin Because I didn't play by all his rules Well opportunity is beckoning to me And I'll make my way back home some day Here comes that boat floating down the river The south bound channel on the west side It looks like the captain's pulling over And I'm bound to take a ride Take a ride And when the night falls down on the southern city And there's nothing left to do but play Well opportunity is beckoning to me And I'll make my way back home some day