My granddad used to tell me
Boy, when I was just your age
I was a river pilot on a showboat called The Stage
I'd hobnob with them southern belles and ev'ry roustabout
I'd listen to them paddle wheels and hear the leadsman shout
Mark Twain, it's two fathoms deep below
Mark Twain, heave the gang plank Start the show
Mark Twain, play those banjos as we go down the Mississippi
'round the Gulf of Mexico
There were gamblers, crooks and fakers and a minstrel
man who'd dance A singin' gal
Simone Lamour, imported straight from France
It was a floatin' palace, boy
that showboat called The Stage
and granddad was the king of it when he was just my age
Mark Twain, it's two fathoms deep below
Mark Twain, heave the gang plank Start the show
Mark Twain, play those banjos as we go down the Mississippi
'round the Gulf of Mexico
The calliope is quiet now
The rudder's thick with rust
The main deck and the paddle wheels are covered high with dust
But granddad's in his glory
still standin' on the bow
A halo 'round his pilot's cap and I can hear him now
Mark Twain, it's two fathoms deep below
Mark Twain, heave the gang plank Start the show
Mark Twain, play those banjos as we go down the Mississippi
'round the Gulf of Mexico
My granddad used to tell me
Boy, when I was just your age
I was a river pilot on a showboat called The Stage
I'd hobnob with them southern belles and ev'ry roustabout
I'd listen to them paddle wheels and hear the leadsman shout
Mark Twain, it's two fathoms deep below
Mark Twain, heave the gang plank Start the show
Mark Twain, play those banjos as we go down the Mississippi
'round the Gulf of Mexico
There were gamblers, crooks and fakers and a minstrel
man who'd dance A singin' gal
Simone Lamour, imported straight from France
It was a floatin' palace, boy
that showboat called The Stage
and granddad was the king of it when he was just my age
Mark Twain, it's two fathoms deep below
Mark Twain, heave the gang plank Start the show
Mark Twain, play those banjos as we go down the Mississippi
'round the Gulf of Mexico
The calliope is quiet now
The rudder's thick with rust
The main deck and the paddle wheels are covered high with dust
But granddad's in his glory
still standin' on the bow
A halo 'round his pilot's cap and I can hear him now
Mark Twain, it's two fathoms deep below
Mark Twain, heave the gang plank Start the show
Mark Twain, play those banjos as we go down the Mississippi
'round the Gulf of Mexico