VERSE: I like lazy weather; I like lazy days, Can’t be blamed for having lazy ways. Some old lazy river sleeps beside my door, Whisp’ring to the sunlit shore.
CHORUS: Up a lazy river by the old millrun, That lazy, lazy river in the noonday sun, Linger in the shade of a kind old tree; Throw away your troubles, dream a dream with me Up a lazy river, where the robin's song Awakes a bright new morning, we can loaf along, Blue skies up above, ev’ryone's in love, Up a lazy river, how happy you can be, Up a lazy river with me.
- - - There are few recordings that include the verse. Leon Redbone sang it on his album “Up a Lazy River,” 1992 (you can hear it at Spotify); also Rockapella on “Smilin’,” 2002 (Spotify).
The book I Remember Jazz, by Al Rose, says that Arodin's original version was called "Just a Lazy N****r" until Carmichael rewrote the lyrics.