Standing by a riverside A river so deep and so wide Current's too strong for only one man I know because I tried
I got eight oars - four on either side Is there anybody with me Eight hands four willing hearts Won't someone answer my plea
Well I got in the boat I stayed afloat Some way across I was tiring Well I need someone to help me to get to the other side
Along came son of Alabama south He said 'I heard you calling If you don't mind the colour of my skin I'll help you not to fall in'
Then suddenly Joe from out of Tokyo 'If my eyes don't make you nervous I used to handle a junk back home'
Said 'Can I be of service'
Well we got in the boat we stayed afloat Halfway across we were tiring We got to row this boat together to get to the other side
Two more oars only one seat left One more person to lean on A brotherhood boat to a land called home with our share of freedom
Got in the boat stayed afloat There's no need to be tiring We rowed this boat together Happiness meets the other side We rowed this boat together Happiness meets the other side We rowed this boat together Happiness meets the other side