Movin' on Down the River - Jean Ritchie

I’m a-packin' my grip

I’m a-movin' on

For I’m a ramblin' laddie

And if the boat don’t stop at the Philadelphia dock

I’ll go on to Cincinnati

I’m movin' on

I’m a-movin' on

For I can’t stay here forever

All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'

I’m a-movin' on down the river

Well, Philadelphia is a fine old town

And so is Cincinnati

The streets are lined with ten dollar bills

And the pretty little girls are plenty

So, I’m movin' on

I’m a-movin' on

For I can’t stay here forever

All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'

I’m a-movin' on down the river

Don’t choose a girl with a rovin' eye

Don’t choose the girl with money

But choose you the one with the truest heart

And kiss her and call her honey

And, I’m movin' on

I’m a-movin' on

For I can’t stay here forever

All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'

I’m a-movin' on down the river

Oh, I love that girl

She’s a dear little thing

But the tears they fall and blind me

For I can’t help but thinkin' a-once in a while

About the girls I’ve left behind me

And, I’m movin' on

I’m a-movin' on

For I can’t stay here forever

All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'

I’m a-movin' on down the river