Gonna pick up some of them 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
All day long I'm makin' 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 a 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
All day long I'm makin' up barges
On a long hot summer day
Last night we had port for supper
Today it'll be chicken consommé
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
All day long I'm makin' up barges
On a long hot summer day
Well we put a man off in Beardstown
When we come down yesterday
I'm gonna 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
All day long I'm makin' up barges
On a long hot summer day
