I have seen the paddle wheelers
Rolling south on a summers' day
I've seen the lovers at the guardrails
With stars in their lemonade
And I've heard the hobo's gather
Heard their banjo's brace the blade
Heard them sing about the river
Called it the lazy man's parade

Sing me that song about the river
Green going away
You know I always did feel like a drifter
'Bout this time of day

Last night I stood by the highway
Pretended I was on my way
You know a hundred thousand headlights
Couldn't match the milky way
And when the moonlight touches the water
Surely somethin' touches me
And I go reachin' for the river
Like it's reachin' for the sea

So, Sing me that song about the river
Green going away
You know I always did feel like a drifter
'Bout this time of day
Somethings go on forever
But truth don't ever stray
The wind may brush the water
But the river won't persuade

So, Sing me that song about the river
Green going away
You know I always did feel like a drifter
'Bout this time of day...