Where's an Old Time Riverman Go

Aboard the U. S. Mississippi River Commission Inspection Boat Mississippi,
with Pilot Lawrence H. Sanders at the wheel in 1907,
during the voyage of President Teddy Roosevelt from Cairo, Illinois, to New Orleans.

Where's an old time riverman go, after he's passed a-way?
Does his soul still keep watch on the deep, till the end of the river days?
Does he then come back as a channel cat, or the wasps that light on the wheel,
Or the birds that fly through a summer sky, or fish swimming 'neath the keel?

Where's an old time pilot go, after his final watch?
Does he catch the ear of the man who steers sayin' "Hold 'er on that notch!"
Hear the drawn out sigh as the breezes cry: "Son, I'm goin' to bed."?
Then he lights his pipe, goes off in the night; was that fireflies instead?

Where's an old time engineer go, after he's cooled 'er down?
Gone up the hill to never come back, from the quiet side of town;
Does his soul sing 'long with the engine's song, while the striker checks the gear?
Is his ghost afloat on that old steamboat, after he's gone from here?

Where's an old time riverman go, after he's passed away?
Does his soul still keep watch on the deep, till the end of the river days?
Does he then come back as a channel cat, or the wasps that light on the wheel?
Or the birds that fly through a summer sky, or fish swimming 'neath the keel.

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To hear John Hartford sing this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHhnGMJRu20

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