River's up, and I can't get across,
River's up, and I can't get across,
River's up, and I can't get across,
Way down in North Carolina!

Waterbound, and I can't get home,
Waterbound, and I can't get home,
Waterbound, and I can't get home,
Way down in North Carolina!

Chicken'- crowing in the old plough' field,
Chicken's crowing in the old plough' field,
Chicken's crowing in the old plough' field,
Way down in North Carolina!

Waterbound, and I can't get home...

I got a gal and her name is Sal,
I got a gal and her name is Sal,
I got a gal and her name is Sal,
Way down in North Carolina!

Waterbound, and I can't get home...

Her old man's mad, but I don't care,
Her old man's mad, but I don't care,
Her old man's mad, but I don't care,
As! long as I get his daughter!

Waterbound, and I can't get home...