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