Hi Everyone,

In New Mexico (Just Northwest of Texas and below Colorado) we were told that a little girl wrote this song while she was in the hospital overlooking the Missippi River. She suffered from luekemia and spend many hours looking out to the river watching the barges pass by. The last verse was emphasized as we were told she knew she would soon be gone. This song has always brought tears to my eyes.

As I have read all the comments it's been great to see how the song has evolved over the years -- as a girl scout in the late 50's/early 60's then a GS Leader in the 80's and 90's with my own daughters-- This is the version we sang in and out of camp--

Verse One:
Out of my window lookin in the night
I can see the barges' flickering light.
Silently flows the river to sea,
and the barges too go silently.

Chorus:
Barges, I would like to go with you,
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with priates brave and bold?

Verse Two:
Out of my window lookin in the night,
I can see the barges' flickering light.
Starboard shines green and port is glowing red,
in the night they signal far ahead.

Chorus:
Barges, I would like to go with you,
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with priates brave and bold?

Verse Three:
Out of my window looking in the night
I can see the barges' flickering light.
Now is the time when I will soon be gone,
And I'll sail with barges on and on.

Chorus:
Barges, I would like to go with you,
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with priates brave and bold?