This Mississippi River song speaks of the hard life
spent by the boatmen who piloted pushboats. These narrow craft traveled
downstream, being steered by a long pole, pushed against the bank. This
was a very labor intensive occupation. There were long hours of slow
going, and songs like this made the time seem to pass a little more
quickly.
spent by the boatmen who piloted pushboats. These narrow craft traveled
downstream, being steered by a long pole, pushed against the bank. This
was a very labor intensive occupation. There were long hours of slow
going, and songs like this made the time seem to pass a little more
quickly.
Lyrics:
G
Working on a push boat
G
From Cattletsburg to Pike,
Am C
I’m working on a push boat,
Em C
For Old Man Jeffery’s Ike. X2
Working on a push boat
G
From Cattletsburg to Pike,
Am C
I’m working on a push boat,
Em C
For Old Man Jeffery’s Ike. X2
Working on a push boat
For fifty cents a day;
Buy a dress for Cynthie Jane,
And throw the rest away. X2
Working on a push boat,
Water’s mighty slack;
Taking sorghum ‘lasses down
And bringing sugar back. X2
Going down Big Sandy
With Pete and Lazy Sam;
When I get to Cattletsburg,
I’ll buy myself a dram. X2
I wish I had a nickel,
I wish I had a dime;
I’d spend it all on Cynthie Jane
And dress her mighty fine. X2
The weather’s mighty hot, boys,
Blisters on my feet;
Working on a push boat
To buy my bread and meat. X2
Working on a push boat,
Working in the rain;
When I get to Cattletsburg,
Hello, Cynthie Jane! X2
� McGuinn Music 1998 Roger McGuinn