John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade

You see that boat a-comin'
Comin' 'round the bend
Loaded down with cotton
She's comin' in again

John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade

She run peanuts and cotton
And then she run so many
Her men they run from her
Never get a penny

John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade

You see that boat a-comin'
She's comin' 'round the bend
Loaded to the bottom
With Louisiana men

John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade

John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade