Sitting on the river bank
Watching the water flow
Sitting here thinking and wondering
Which way to go?

How the river sings the sweetest songs
In a million harmonies
But the sun shines brighter on the other side
That's where l want to be

So please, mister ferryman
Won't you take me to the other side?
Where the songbirds sing for me
Where life is led by the hand of fate
That's how it ought to be

When the evening shadows reach out
At the setting of the sun
Will l still be wishing and a-wondering
When the morning comes?

For l once could swim against the tide
Like the salmon who swims for home
But I'll be happy now just to hitch a ride
And make it on my own

So please, mister ferryman
Won't you take me to the other side?
Where the songbirds sing for me
Where life is led by the hand of fate
That's how it ought to be

Well I'll take you says, the ferryman
But if l should close my eyes
And fall asleep before we land
You must take these oars and forever more
Be at my command