Lyrics Movin' on Down the River - Jean Ritchie

Movin' on Down the River

I’m a-packin' my grip
I’m a-movin' on
For I’m a ramblin' laddie
And if the boat don’t stop at the Philadelphia dock
I’ll go on to Cincinnati
I’m movin' on
I’m a-movin' on
For I can’t stay here forever
All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'
I’m a-movin' on down the river
Well, Philadelphia is a fine old town
And so is Cincinnati
The streets are lined with ten dollar bills
And the pretty little girls are plenty
So, I’m movin' on
I’m a-movin' on
For I can’t stay here forever
All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'
I’m a-movin' on down the river
Don’t choose a girl with a rovin' eye
Don’t choose the girl with money
But choose you the one with the truest heart
And kiss her and call her honey
And, I’m movin' on
I’m a-movin' on
For I can’t stay here forever
All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'
I’m a-movin' on down the river
Oh, I love that girl
She’s a dear little thing
But the tears they fall and blind me
For I can’t help but thinkin' a-once in a while
About the girls I’ve left behind me
And, I’m movin' on
I’m a-movin' on
For I can’t stay here forever
All the steam is a-risin' and the big wheel’s a-turnin'
I’m a-movin' on down the river