Built a little shanty by the cumberland river
But the rainstorm started and the water did rise
Wildcat winds and ten foot rollers lordy
Bless my soul, it was a hell of a ride
Eyes popped open I was laying on the levy
Lord I ain't got to heaven but I feel alright
Smallmouth jumping I'm rolling up something
Gonna throw a little high water party tonight

O cumberland river
Flowing through the heart of a guitar town
O cumberland river
Can't you hear me singing your song
Can't you hear me singing your song

John boat plowing up the deep green water
Looky yonder comes jimmy with the sly rye beer
Five string floating in the tennessee sun
Always sounds a little muddy when we pick it down here
She runs wild, fast and free
Born in the mountains up in kentucky
Heading for the falls of the ohio
Asking me darling, don't you wanna go?

O cumberland river
Flowing through the heart of a guitar town
O cumberland river
Can't you hear me singing your song
Can't you hear me singing your song

Bonfire burning on the banks of the river
All the girls come running when they smell the fish fry
Barefoot dancing when we dip into the water
I'll be loving this river 'til the day I die
Locks and dams weren't made to last
There's nothing we can build to ever hold her back
She can't be held by the hands of man
The cumberland river is gonna rise again

O cumberland river
Flowing through the heart of a guitar town
O cumberland river
Can't you hear me singing your song
Can't you hear me singing your song