Here comes that boat floating down the river   The south bound channel on the west side   It looks like the captain's pulling over   And I'm bound to take a ride   Take a ride      Well down at the dock I paid my fare   I paid only one way not two   I don't know where but I'll get there   And on my way I'll sing this tune   And when the night falls down on the southern city   And there's nothing left to do but play      Well opportunity is beckoning to me    And I'll make my way back home some day      Don't you know my daddy was a real hard worker   For us he did all he could do   Worked all day for the white collar man   So he could send us off to school   But I feel just like cryin   Because I didn't play by all his rules      Well opportunity is beckoning to me    And I'll make my way back home some day      Here comes that boat floating down the river   The south bound channel on the west side   It looks like the captain's pulling over   And I'm bound to take a ride   Take a ride      And when the night falls down on the southern city   And there's nothing left to do but play      Well opportunity is beckoning to me    And I'll make my way back home some day