I left old Kentucky in a blindin' fog
Headed for the Southland, haulin' cedar logs
Along around Celina, I saw the sky turn blue
Headed for the Southland with a six-man crew
Cumberland River carry me
On down the line to sunny Tennessee
Shirley Mae's awaitin' lonely as can be
Cumberland River let me feel that southern breeze
Two days on the river, the weather it got rough
Headed for the south-bank, we hit a big rock bluff
Workin' like the devil to turn this boat around
Two miles south of Carthage, we made it safe and sound
Cumberland River carry me
On down the line to sunny Tennessee
Shirley Mae's awaitin' lonely as can be
Cumberland River let me feel that southern breeze
Two more days of travel, and then I'll draw my pay
Headed for the Southland to see my Shirley Mae
A part a can of sorghum and a sack of flour
15 dollars waitin', seven cents an hour
Cumberland River carry me
On down the line to sunny Tennessee
Shirley Mae's awaitin' lonely as can be
Cumberland River let me feel that southern breeze
Cumberland River carry me
On down the line to sunny Tennessee
Shirley Mae's awaitin' lonely as can be
Cumberland River let me feel that southern breeze
Cumberland River let me feel that southern breeze
