Gonna pick up some of these empties here
Just as soon as we know where they lay
Tied off of them jolly and leaving lines
On a long hot summer day

For every day I work on the Illinois River
Get a half a day off with pay
Old tow boat pickin’ up barges
On a long hot summer day

Well I got me a gal in Pekin
She’s a good ol’ gal okay
I bet she’s sitting by ‘er window fan
On a long hot summer day

For every day I work on the Illinois River
Get a half a day off with pay
Old tow boat pickin’ up barges
On a long hot summer day

Last night we had port for supper
Today it’ll be chicken consomme
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
Old tow boat pickin’ up barges
On a long hot summer day

Well we put a man off in Beardstown
When we come down yesterday
I’m gonna get 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
Old tow boat pickin’ up barges
On a long hot summer day