Way down on the levy in old Alabamy 
There's Daddy and Mammy 
There's Ephraim and Sammy 
On a moonlight night you can find them all 
While they are waiting, 
The banjos are syncopating 
What's that they're saying? 
What's that they're saying? 
While they keep playing 
A, humming and swaying 
It's the good ship Robert E. Lee 
That's come to carry the cotton away! 

Watch them shuffling along, 
See them shuffling along! 
Go take your best gal, real pal 
Go down to the levy, I said to the levy, 
And join that shuffling throng 
Hear that music and song! 

It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levy 
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee! 
The whistles are blowing, the smokestacks are showing 
The ropes they are throwing, excuse me I'm going 
To the place where all is harmonious 
Even the preacher, he is the dancing teacher! 

Have you been down there? 
Were you around there? 
If you ever go there you'll always be found there, 
Why, dog-gone, here comes my baby 
On the good old Robert E. Lee! 

Watch them shuffling along, 
See them shuffling along 
Go take your best gal, real pal 
Go down to the levy, I said to the levy, 
And join that shuffling throng 
Hear that music and song! 

It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levy 
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee!