Way down on the levy in old Alabamy
There's Daddy and Mammy
There's Ephraim and Sammy
On a moonlight night you can find them all

While they are waiting,
The banjos are syncopating
What's that they're saying?
What's that they're saying?

While they keep playing
A - humming and swaying
It's the good ship Robert E. Lee
That's come to carry the cotton away!

Watch them shuffling along,
See them shuffling along!
Go take your best gal, real pal
Go down to the levy, I said to the levy,

And join that shuffling throng
Hear that music and song!
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levy
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee!

The whistles are blowing, the smokestacks are showing
The ropes they are throwing, excuse me I'm going
To the place where all is harmonious
Even the preacher, he is the dancing teacher!

Have you been down there?
Were you around there?
If you ever go there you'll always be found there,
Why, dog-gone, here comes my baby

On the good old Robert E. Lee!
Watch them shuffling along,
See them shuffling along
Go take your best gal, real pal

Go down to the levy, I said to the levy,
And join that shuffling throng
Hear that music and song!
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levy

Waiting for the Robert E. Lee!