I Was Born on the River

DESCRIPTION: "I was born on the river, and the river is my home, As long as I can carry a chain, I won't leave the river alone." The singer asks the Captain for money, describes how the Captain bosses the gang, and advises against gambling
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1944 (Wheeler)
KEYWORDS: work river boss gambling money hardtimes poverty
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Wheeler-SteamboatinDays, p. 33-35, "I Wuz Borned on the Rivuh" (1 text, 1 tune); p. 118, "Woman, Woman, I See Yo' Man" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #10007
NOTES [52 words]: The Wheeler text "Woman, Woman, I See Yo' Man" differs in from from "I Was Born on the River," but half its verses are found in the longer song. As is often the case in Wheeler's material, there is no good way to classify the result. I combine because, if I didn't, I'd have to list every piece in Wheeler separately.
File: MWHee033

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