"We" are all of the participants in this thread over the last 24 years or so, living and dead, who have been interested in this song by Bustin, and his actual lyrics and I would assume their historical context. Reading through these old threads, one can see that there has been some confusion about these things over the years. My question is pretty simple. What kind of boat and boatmen do we think Bustin had in mind when he wrote this song? And is the imagined scenario consistent with historical fact. And is the song coherent. I am assuming that there are a number of technical differences that define a "flatboat" as distinct from a "keelboat", some of which you have pointed out. I appreciate the references. But given what little I know, some of the verses don't seem consistent with the historical data on flatboats. The "bushwhacking back" one especially. And why would you be hauling salt back upriver in a flatboat? Doesn't really make sense. I have focused my attention over the years on the flatboats and don't really know much about keelboats, except that they might more closely fit the sense of Bustin's lyrics. I am curious about his assumptions and the assumptions of the various discussions on this thread. Are "we"/"they" talking about flatboats or keelboats? I thin it matters for the sense and integrity of the song. It presents itself as a "historical" song.   It's a wonderful song to sing and has lasted for some time now. But is it historically accurate and if so what is it talking about? And also why is there no real discussion in these threads about the kind of boats involved?