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