The bridge till the waters edge
From the hills to the sea
I've seen bad ones get it right
From the ridge to the ledge
To Richmond town
I'll be steppin' out tonight
And the work's gotten slow
On the cool flow
That big iron hauls much more
I could steer around the rocks
As that river rolls along
James River blues
James River blues
Than we ever could before
So where's a boat man to go?
They don't need us anymore
I've seen good men going wrong
James River blues
But they're bustin' down the docks
Floatin' down, down below
I'll become a memory
I think I'll float on down
That train came on through
Hauling freight from shore to shore