When the weather is fine then you know it's a sign
For messin' about on the river
If you take my advice there's nothing so nice
As messin' about on the river
There's long boats and short boats ands all kinds of craft
And cruisers and keel boats and some with no draft
So take off your coat and hop in the boat
Go messin' about on the river

There are boats made from kits that reach you in bits
For messin' about on the river
And you might want to skull in a glass fibred hull
Just messin' about on the river
There are tillers and rudders and anchors and cleets
And ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets
With the wind in your face there's no finer place
Than messin' about on the river

There are skippers and mates and rowing club eights
Just messin' about on the river
There are pontoons and trots and all sort of knots
Forl messin' about on the river
With inboards and outboards and dinghies you sail
The first thing you learn is the right way to bale
In a one seat canoe you're both skipper and crew
Just messin' about on the river

There are bridges and locks and mooring and docks
When messin' about on the river
There's a whirlpool and weir that you mustn't go near
When messin' about on the river
There are backwater places all hidden from view
And quaint little islands just waiting for you
So I'll leave you right now, to cast off your bow
To go messing about on the river
