i left old kentucky in a blindin fog headed for the southland haulin cedar logs along around celina i saw the sky turn blue headed for the southland with a six men crew chorus cumberland river carry me on down the line to sunny tennessee shirley mae s awaitin lonely as can be cumberland river let me feel that southern breeze two days on the river the weather it got rough headed for the southbank we hit a big rock bluff workin like the devil to turn this boat around two miles south of carthage we made it safe and sound chorus two more days of travel and then i ll draw my pay headed for the southland to see my shirley mae a part a can of sorghum and a sack of flour fifteen dollars waitin seven cents an hour chorus cumberland river let me feel that southern breeze