Oh I'm working
Working on a push boat
From Cattlesburg to Pike
Working on a push boat
For old man Jeffer's Ike
Yeah, old man Jeffer's Ike, Ike, Ike

Well I'm going
Going up, big Sandy
With Pete and Lazy Sam
And when I get to Cattlesburg
Gonna buy myself a dram
Buy myself a dram, am, am

Oh I'm working
Working on a push boat
For fifty cents a day
Gonna buy my gal a brand new dress
And I'll throw the rest away
I'll throw the rest away, ay, ay

Oh, the weather
The weather's mighty hot, boys
Blisters on my feet
Working on a push boat
To buy my bread and meat
Oh, buy my bread and meat, eat, eat

Oh I'm working
Working on a push boat
The water's mighty slack
Takin' sorghum molasses down
And bringing sugar back
Oh, bringing sugar back, ack, ack

Oh I'm working
Working on a push boat
Working in thе rain
And when I get to Cattlesburg
Wеll it's goodbye Cynthie Jane
Goodbye Cynthie Jane, ane, ane