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