Standing by a riverside
A river so deep and so wide
Current's too strong for only one man
I know because I tried

I got eight oars -
four on either side
Is there anybody with me
Eight hands four willing hearts
Won't someone answer my plea

Well I got in the boat
I stayed afloat
Some way across I was tiring
Well I need someone to help me
to get to the other side

Along came son of Alabama south
He said "I heard you calling
If you don't mind the colour of my skin
I'll help you not to fall in"

Then suddenly Joe from out of Tokyo
"If my eyes don't make you nervous
I used to handle a junk back home"
Said 'Can I be of service'

Well we got in the boat
we stayed afloat
Halfway across we were tiring
We got to row this boat together
to get to the other side

Two more oars
only one seat left
One more person to lean on
A brotherhood boat to a land called home
with our share of freedom

Got in the boat
stayed afloat
There's no need to be tiring
We rowed this boat together
Happiness meets the other side
We rowed this boat together
Happiness meets the other side
We rowed this boat together
Happiness meets the other side