Well I’m Gonna pick up some of these empties Lord.
As soon as I find where they lay.
Tied off of them jolly and leaving lines.
On a long hot summer day yea.

Chorus:
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
Get a half a day off with pay.
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
On a long hot summer day.

Well I got me a gal in Pecan.
She's a good ole' gal okay.
Oh she's sitting there waitin’ by a window fan.
On a long hot summer day.

Chorus:
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
Get a half a day off with pay.
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
On a long hot summer day.

Well Last night we had pork for supper.
And Tomorrow it'll be chicken consommÈ.
And a fruit jar full a iced tea.
On a long hot summer day. yea

Chorus:
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
Get a half a day off with pay.
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
On a long hot summer day.

Well we dropped a man off in Beardstown.
When we got off yesterday.
Gonna get off down in Alton.
On a long hot summer day.

Chorus:
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
Get a half a day off with pay.
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
On a long hot summer day.

Lead:

Chorus:
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
Get a half a day off with pay.
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
On a long hot summer day.

Chorus:
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
Get a half a day off with pay.
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
On a long hot summer day.