"Messing about on the river" was written and recorded by the late Scottish folksinger Josh White, for whom there was a great appreciation night at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow a couple of years ago - this song was a centerpiece. I only know snatches like, "there are long boats and short boats and all kinds of craft, boats with no engines and boats with no draft...a double canoe is perfect for two, when messing about on the river," (presumably the Clyde). Josh's memorial night was hosted by Paisley-based folksinger Danny Kyle, who certainly knew the words that night (check his cuff)...and so, all ya gotta do is...