The boatman works alone
It's the only life he's ever known
A young man in life alone
Across the river every day
He ferries settlers o'er the rushing cool
Carries merchants through the rapids cruel
Even royals in their crown and jewel
Across the river on his own
Ya - da da da, a young man tall
Ya- da da da, ya da da da da da
Ya- da da da, the boatman's call
Ya - da da da, ya da da da da da
The boatman's call
♪
The young woman lone she goes
Gathering flowers where the river flows
She is lovely as the mountain rose
And she needs passage on her way
She needs crossing late in emerald May
Sitting golden in the creak and sway
Our young boatman gave his heart that day
Across the river going home
Ya - da da da, a young man tall
Ya - da da da, ya da da da da da
Ya - da da da, for this girl did fall
Ya- da da da, ya da da da da da
For this girl did fall
♪
Their world was set, planned, always they would be
They didn't fret, no, not like you and me
Their world was small, there, near the river free
Then came this fine, grand, tale of he and she
Ya- da da da, this girl did fall
Ya- da da da, ya da da da da da
Ya - da da da, for the boatman's call
Ya- da da da, ya da da da da da
And now they are not alone, their lonely life by one has grown
Now they are not alone, they cross the river every day