Gonna pick up some of them empties here
Just as soon as we know where they lay
Tied off of them jolly and leavin' minds
On a long hot summer day
For every day I work on the Illinois river
I get a half a day off with pay
All day long I'm makin' up barges
On a long hot summer day

Well I got me a gal in Pea-kin
She's a good ol' gal Okay
I bet she's sitting a winder fan
On a long hot summer day
For every day I work on the Illinois river
Get a half a day off with pay
All day long I'm makin' up barges
On a long hot summer day

Last night we had pork for supper
Today It'll be chicken consume'
And a fruit jar full of iced tea
On a long hot summer day
For every day I work on the Illinois river
Get a half a day off with pay
All day long I'm makin' up barges
On a long hot summer day

Well we put a man off in Beardstown
When we come down yesterday
I'm gonna off down at Alton
On a long hot summer day
For every day I work on the Illinois River
Get a half a day off with pay
All day long I'm makin' them barges
On a long hot summer day

For every day I work on the Illinois River
Get a half a day off with pay
All day long I'm makin' them barges
On a long hot summer day