JULIA BELLE SWAIN
(John Hartford)

This is a song about the Julia Belle Swain

1. Oh, the Julia Belle Swain is a mighty fine boat, got a mighty fine captain, too.
Got a big red wheel that goes around and around and a bunch of old hippies for a crew.
Well, I can't stay here; well, I gotta get away; I'm Chattanooga Tennessee bound.
Gonna get my banjo and put it on my back when the Julia Belle comes down,
When the Julia Belle comes down.

2. When the Julia Belle comes to Peoria, you know that summer's here,
And up on the Illinois River, that's the very best time of the year.
Those steam boat days in August like a hazy, lazy dream,
I want to be at the foot of Main Street when the Julia Belle raises steam,
when the Julia Belle raises steam.

3. Well Dennis and Moon and Bob Burnett, and Doc and Murray too,
Are one big steamboat family and the Julia Belle steamboat crew.
Me, I tell you, I gotta getta away; I'm Chattanooga Tennessee bound.
Gonna get my banjo and put it on my back when the Julia Belle comes down,
When the Julia Belle comes down.

4. Now the Julia Belle Swain is a women's lib boat, the first I ever knew.
Got girls in the pilothouse and girls on deck and a lady in the engine room.
Now Donna's got her license; Cindy's learning to steer.
Little Julie keeps Moon outa trouble by wandering off everywhere,
By wandering off everywhere.

5. When the Julia Belle gets in a steamboat race, she's a mighty hard boat to beat.
She raced the Belle of Louisville; she beat the Delta Queen.
She don't need no help to get her turned around; she'll come right around on a dime.
And after the race she heads up the river 'cause the Julia Belle's still got time,
'Cause the Julia Belle's still got time.

6. Well, I sure do love the Tennessee River, the Ohio and the Illinois,
And I love the old Mississippi River; it's a good old place for a boy
Just to step on board the steamboat, ride all the way to the sea.
Where else but a muddy old river would a person want to be,
Would a person want to be?

7. Well, I come up the river the other night, darker than the inside of a cow.
Ain't nothin' like a crooked old river, straighten my head right out.
Now I love my love; she's pretty as could be, and I love to take her down.
Those pretty ladies really like to ride when the Julia Belle comes down,
When the Julia Belle comes down.