Let Him Go On Mama
A John Hartford Song
Key of D- banjo tuned to E
Verne Garrison 050108



Well he (D) likes black coffee, fried eggs and a (A) well done t bone steak
He (D) likes her red dress, and her pearly white teeth and the (G) flash of her pretty (D) brown legs.
He said , (G) Back in the 30's, you know you (D) never had it made.
He's an (E) engineer over on the Ohio river (A) running in the Pittsburgh trade
Chorus:
He's (D) just a fella working on the river all his (A) life by a paddle wheel
You say he's old fashion, (G) that ain't no big (D) deal
Well, (G) it's too thick to navigate.  (D) It's too thin to plow
Let him go on (A) mama.  Don't (D) put him down (A) for it (D) now

With the inspection office in Louisville, at a desk for a very short time.
And he played in a band on two different boats, working for the Streichfist Line
Long ago he smoked reefer, and he even made home brew
And the reefer came in through New Orleans, back before World War II

Chorus:
 
Well, he sits and he smokes an old Ibold cigar, says he doesnt miss it at all
But he still goes out an he makes a few trips, in the summer and then in the fall
Oh the railroad trains, the bus, and the planes are taking up all the slack
Hes been watching all those river towns slowly turn their back

Chorus
Well, he comes from a real oldtime way of life, he had to fight to just learn how
He mightve even voted for Nixon once, but Im sure he sees that now
Well, Friday night he makes the best  gumbo youd ever want to eat
Saturday morning fore everyones up, hes gone off down to the fleet

Hes just a fellar working on the river, all his life by a paddlewheel
You say hes old fashioned, well that aint no big deal
Well, its too thick to navigate, and its too thin to plow
So let him go on mama, dont put him down for it now

Well, youre as pretty as he is ugly, and hes the happiest man alive
Youve got him into believing, that old men are back in style
Now, you see these Oysters Bienville, and this baked-potato skin
I eat em so I can grow up to be, an old man just like him

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