Haulin' Coal

(album: Rufus - 1973)

Steaming down the muddy waters
Traveling yonder from bay to bay
I been working on the barge line
Fourteen years ago today
Eighteen hours hard labor by the day
Ain't much pay for a man

[Chorus:]
Hauling coal down the down river
And he won't be coming home for a long time

Torches burning by the riverside
Cast their shadows grey as stone
And the cool October days replacing
Much warmer thoughts of home
I can still see grandma sitting on the porch
Telling the neighbors she's got a grandson

[Chorus:]
Hauling coal down the down river
And he won't be coming home for a long time

River's rising up the marker line
While the willows softly moan
Sun is rising over the starboard shore
Paving the golden road back home

I can still see the kids jumping rope
But there ain't much hope for a man

[Chorus:]
Hauling coal down the down river
And he won't be coming home for a long time

Hauling coal down the down river
I'll be gone a long time

Hauling coal down the down river
I'll be gone a long while