[Verse 1]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
The boatman dance, the boatman sing
The boatman huff to everything
When the boatman go to shore
He spends his money and he works for more

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night 'til the broad daylight
Go home with the gal in the morning

[Verse 2]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
The oyster boat should keep to shore
The fishin’ smack should venture more
The schooner sail before the whine
The steamboat leave it's feet behind

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night 'til the broad daylight
Go home with the gal in the morning
[Verse 3]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
I went on board the other day
Just to see what the boatman had to say
There I let my passion loose
He clapped me in the calaboose!

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night 'til the broad daylight
Go home with the gal in the morning

[Verse 4]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
I come this time, I'll come no more
Let me loose, I'll go to shore
With the whole horse, a bully crew
A hoosier maid, and a captain too

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night 'til the broad daylight
Go home with the gal in the morning
[Verse 5]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
Now, when you go to the boatman's ball
Dance with the wife or not at all
Sky-blue jacket and a tarpaulin hat
Look out my boys for the nine-tailed cat!

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night 'til the broad daylight
Go home with the gal in the morning

[Verse 6]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
Now the boatman he's a thrifty man
As none can do what the boatman can
I never seen a pretty gal in my life
But that she was a boatman's wife

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night to the broad daylight
Come home with the gals in the morning
[Verse 7]
Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau
Now, when the boatman blows his horn
Look out, my boy, your sheep is shorn
He stole my sheep! He stole my shoat!
He put ‘em in a bag, then he took ‘em in the boat!

[Chorus]
Dance, you boatman dance
Dance, you boatman dance, oh
Dance all night 'til the broad daylight
Come home with the gal in the morning

Hi, ho, the boatman go floating down the river in a big bateau