I have seen the paddle wheelers 
Rolling south on a summers' day. 
I've seen the lovers at the guardrails 
With stars in their lemonade 
And I've heard the hobo's gather, 
Heard their banjo's brace the blade. 
Heard them sing about the river, 
Called it the lazy man's parade.

Sing me that song about the river, 
Green going away. 
You know I always did feel like a drifter 
'Bout this time of day.

Last night I stood by the highway, 
Pretended I was on my way. 
You know a hundred thousand headlights 
Couldn't match the milky way 
And when the moonlight touches the water, 
Surely somethin' touches me 
And I go reachin' for the river 
Like it's reachin' for the sea.

So, Sing me that song about the river, 
Green going away. 
You know I always did feel like a drifter 
'Bout this time of day.

Somethings go on forever 
But truth don't ever stray. 
The wind may brush the water 
But the river won't persuade.

So, Sing me that song about the river, 
Green going away. 
You know I always did feel like a drifter 
'Bout this time of day...