Dillon Bustin 1986
Sandy Paton learned from Bustin at Pinewoods: “Re: tempo. When Dillon presented it at a workshop at Pinewoods, the first time we heard it, he sang it unaccompanied and “briskly.” Later that evening, in a most generous private session with us, he did it with what we call “lazy river” banjo accompaniment, and it was much more leisurely paced. We feel “leisurely” is the appropriate tempo, considering the text.”
Chorus I’m rolling, flowing, around these hills I must take a rest, but this river never will Rolling, flowing, to Cairo Town Just give me time to lay me down Boat’s up the river, she won’t come down I believe it in my soul, she is water-bound Back her, slack her, bring her round Give me time to lay me down Come, Rosianna, the boat is lying low On a sandy bar, out in the Ohio Roustabouts are pulling, pulling mighty slow To give me time to lay me down I work these steamboats. a dollar bill a day I buy a dress for Rosianne, drink the rest away Captain, he just told me to call lead line today Lord, I got no time to lay me down All of the rich folks out on the promenade Twirl their parasols, drink their lemonade I got hot steam to drink, I got smokestack for my shade And I got no time to lay me down I load all of this freight by bale and by sack I slowly cross the plank, I quickly walk it back A hundred eighty pounds a bale, a hundred ninety pounds a sack Two hundred pounds’d break your back