This is one of them prison songs from down around east Texas there. That water they're talkin about is the same water in Dink's Song. The Brazos River. A lot of prisoners have swum for their life across that river.

Ol' Riley walked the water
Ol' Riley walked the water
On them long hot summer days

Ol Riley'll come when I blow my horn
Here, Rattler, here
He'll a-come when I blow my horn
Here, Rattlеr, here

Herе, Rattler, here
Here, Rattler, here

Ol' Riley walked the water
Ol' Riley walked the water
On them long hot summer days

Here, Rattler, here
Here, Rattler, here

Ol' Riley walked the water
Ol' Riley walked the water
On them long hot summer days