Lyrics:

Well, the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry anymore
'cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door
Now think this through with me, let me know your mind
Oh, what I want to know is: are you kind?

Now, it's a buck dancers choice, my friends, better take my advice
You know all the rules by now and the fire from the ice
Now will you come with me? Won't you come with me?
Oh, what I want to know will you come with me?

Sister, well, I declare, have you seen the like
Their walls are built of cannon balls, their motto is: Don't Tread On Me
Come hear Uncle John's band, playing to the tide
Come with me or go alone
He's come to take his children home

It's the same story the crow told me; it's the only one he knows
Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go
Ain't no time to hate, barely time to wait
Oh, what I want to know
Where does the time go

I live in a silver mine and I call it Beggers Tomb
I've got me a violin, and I beg you: call the tune
Anybody's choice, I can hear your voice
Oh, what I want to know
How does the song go?

Come hear Uncle John's band by the riverside
Got some things to talk about, here, beside the rising tide
Come hear Uncle John's band playing to the tide
Come on, come on or go alone
He's come to take his children home

Whoa, what I want to know
How does the song go?

Come hear Uncle John's band by the riverside
Got some things to talk about, here, beside the rising tide
Come hear Uncle John's band playing to the tide
Come on along or go alone
He's come to take his children home

Come hear Uncle John's band
(Brother)
By the riverside
(Ain't no time to hate)
Got some things to talk about
(Sister)
Here, beside the rising tide
(Ain't no time to wait)

Come hear Uncle John's band playing to the tide
Come on along or go alone
He's come to take his children home