Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Mama said river gonna rise
River gonna rise, don't close your eyes
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Daddy gonna keep you by his side
By his side through the by and by
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Tonight he gonna take you through the door
And teach you numbers four by four
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
China found a lucky pearl
Luck gon' take her 'round the world
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Gabe is gonna strum along
On guitar he'll play his song
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Gon' wear feathers in my hair
Wearing feathers 'til I'm dead
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Told my mama when I left
Gonna sing my song, gonna do my best
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Don't know what a cage 'bout sayin'
You can't cage a freeborn thing
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on stead
Mama said river gonna rise
River gonna rise, don't close your eyes
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Daddy gonna keep you by his side
By his side through the by and by
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Gon' wear feathers on my hair
Wearing feathers 'til I'm dead
Hold on steady, hold on steady
Hold on steady, hold on steady