Up the River

Billy was a young man gone astray

Bottle at his lips all night

And day mama said they're gonna

Send you up the river somedayWhiskey ate big holes in Billy's head

Summer's day he shot spud Murphy dead

He said I'm headed up the river

As he watched the blood pour redMama asked Lord Jesus what to do

At the door came knocking boys in blue

We're gonna send him up the river

And make him pay his dues ma'amAnd so she watched him round that river bend

Go billy felt a chill pass 'cross him

Cold they sent him up the river

To turn a young man old