James River Blues
Old Crow Medicine Show Lyrics

I just heard the awful news
The singer has heard some bad news recently and is upset.

I could steer around the rocks
The singer could avoid obstacles while navigating a boat down the river.

But they're bustin' down the docks
However, the singer cannot avoid the docks being destroyed.

James River blues
The artist is feeling down and depressed about the situation on the James River.

That train came on through
The artist is upset that the development of trains has made boats like his irrelevant.

And the world's gotten slow
The pace of life has changed and not as many people rely on boats anymore.

So wheres a boat man to go
The singer is questioning where he can go or what he can do now that his job as a boatman is no longer in demand.

I think I'll float on down
The artist decides to continue down the river.

To Richmond town
The artist has chosen to go to Richmond.

They don't need us anymore
The artist acknowledges that the world has moved on beyond boats and boatmen.

Hauling freight from shore to shore
The singer used to transport goods from one place to another on the river.

That big iron hauls much more
The artist recognizes that trains can transport more cargo than boats.

Than we ever could before
The singer is admitting boats are not as efficient at hauling cargo as trains.

I've see good men going wrong
The singer has seen good people make bad decisions.

I've seen bad ones get it right
The singer has also seen bad people make good decisions.

As that river rolls along
The artist reflects on the constant flow of the river amidst changing times.

I'll be steppin' out tonight
The artist is leaving on his boat that evening.

On the cool flow
The singer relishes the calmness of the river.

Floatin' down down below
The singer continues to navigate his boat further down the river.

The bridge till the water's edge
The artist is passing under a bridge and continuing on the water.

From the ridge to the ledge
The artist is surrounded by hilly terrain as he travels down the river.

From the hills to the sea
The river flows from the highlands of the hills to the sea.

I'll become a memory
The singer knows that eventually, he and his kind will be replaced by newer technology.

James River blues
The artist continues to reflect on his sadness about the changing times on the James River.

James River blues
The singer repeats the title, emphasizing his melancholy.

James River blues
Final repetition of the title.