ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT (aka THE OLD LOG HUT)
(R. Sinclair - 1852)
(Re-written by Eliphalet Oram Lyte - 1881)


Down by the river, the old log hut stands
Where Mamma and Daddy once dwelt
And the old oak latch that was worn by the hands
And the church where in prayer they knelt

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
For all that is past is over, you know
And the future is but a dream

Time and its rapid remorseless plan
Has furrowed our brows with care
And the icy touch of its withered hand
Has slivered our locks of hair

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
For all that is past is over, you know
And the future is but a dream

Our children have grown and have children of their own
I hear their voices echo still
And the old rocking horse sits quiet on the porch
As we listen to the wishful whippoorwill

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
For all that is past is over, you know
And the future is but a dream

Tall grass is growing over the master's grave
But the river keeps rolling on
And the birds and the bees from the blossoms and the trees
Keep singing this same old song

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
For all that is past is over, you know
And the future is but a dream

For all that is past is over, you know
And the future is but a dream


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ALTERNATE VERSION:


Down by the river our log hut stands
Where father and mother once dwelt
And the old door latch that was worn by our hands
And the church where in prayer we knelt

Years, years have passed since that happy time
And the river is rolling along
And the rippling sound on the mossy bank
Is singing the same old song

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
All that's past is gone, you know
The future's but a dream

There stands the tree we used to climb
And the mill with its rolling din
And the old wharf boat, there it used to float
Where the school boys used to swim

High grass grows on the master's grave
And the river keeps rolling along;
And the birds and the bees, the blossoms, the trees
Are singing the same old song

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
All that's past is gone, you know
The future's but a dream


**********


POPULAR MODERN VERSION:


Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream


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POPULAR MODERN CHILDREN'S VERSES:


Row, row, row the boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don't forget to scream

Row, row, row the boat
Gently down the stream
Throw your teachers overboard
And listen to them scream