Written by John Hartford
Intro- A,E
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Well I'm Gonna pick up some of these empties Lord.
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As soon as I find where they lay.
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Tied off of them jolly and leaving lines.
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On a long hot summer day.
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For every day I workin' on the Illinois River.
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Get a half a day off with pay.
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Oh Tow boat pickin' up barges.
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On a long hot summer day. 
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Well I got me a gal in Pecan.
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She's a good ole' gal okay.
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Oh she's sitting there waitin' by a window fan.
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On a long hot summer day.
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For every day I workin' on the Illinois River.
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Get a half a day off with pay.
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Oh Tow boat pickin' up barges.
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On a long hot summer day.
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Well Last night we had pork for supper.
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And Tomorrow it'll be chicken consommé.
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And a fruit jar full a iced tea.
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On a long hot summer day. Yeah.
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For every day I workin' on the Illinois River.
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Get a half a day off with pay.
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Oh Tow boat pickin' up barges.
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On a long hot summer day.
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Well we dropped a man off in Beardstown.
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When we got off yesterday.
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Gonna get off down in Alton.
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On a long hot summer day.
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For every day I workin' on the Illinois River.
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Get a half a day off with pay.
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Oh Tow boat pickin' up barges.
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On a long hot summer day.
Lead:
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For every day I workin' on the Illinois River.
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Get a half a day off with pay.
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Oh Tow boat pickin' up barges.
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On a long hot summer day. 2x:
Full
key step up
Half
key step up
Half
key step down
Full
key step down
