Rufus Haulin` Coal Lyrics

Haulin` Coal Lyrics

Steamin' down the muddy waters

Travelin' yonder from bay to bay

I been
workin' on the barge line

Fourteen years ago today

Eighteen hours hard
labor by the day

Ain't much pay for a man



Chorus:

Haulin' coal
down the down river

And he won't be comin' home for a long
time



Torches burning by the riverside

Cast their shadows grey as
stone

And the cool October days replacing

Much warmer thoughts of
home

I can still see grandma sittin' on the porch

Tellin' the neighbors
she's got a grandson



Chorus:

Haulin' coal down the down
river

And he won't be comin' home for a long time



River's rising
up the marker line

While the willows softly moan

Sun is rising over the
starboard shore

Paving the golden road back home



I can still see
the kids jumpin' rope

But there ain't much hope for a
man



Chorus:

Haulin' coal down the down river

And he won't be
comin' home for a long time



Haulin' coal down the down river

I'll
be gone a long time



Haulin' coal down the down river

I'll be gone
a long while