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 men crew

Chorus:

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 southbank
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

Chorus


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
Fifteen dollars waitin'
Seven cents an hour


Chorus
(2x)