A E 

[Verse]
                A
Well I’m Gonna pick up some of these empties Lord.
                              E
As soon as I find where they lay.
      A
Tied off of them jolly and leaving lines.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.

[Chorus]
      A 
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
                           E
Get a half a day off with pay.
    A
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.

[Verse]
        A 
Well I got me a gal in Pekin.
                        E
She's a good ole' gal okay.
           A          
Oh she's sitting there waitin’ by a window fan.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.

[Chorus]
      A
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
                          E
Get a half a day off with pay.
    A
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.

[Verse]
           A       
Well Last night we had pork for supper.
                                  E
And Tomorrow it'll be chicken consommé.
       A      
And a fruit jar full a iced tea.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day. Yeah.

[Chorus]
     A
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
                           E
Get a half a day off with pay.
    A                         
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.

[Verse]
          A       
Well we dropped a man off in Beardstown.
                     E
When we got off yesterday.
      A
Gonna get off down in Alton.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.

[Chorus]
     A
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
                           E
Get a half a day off with pay.
    A                         
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.


Lead:

Chorus 2x:
     A
For every day I workin’ on the Illinois River.
                           E
Get a half a day off with pay.
    A                         
Oh Tow boat pickin’ up barges.
       A    E         A
On a long hot summer day.