G   C   G   C  D  G

[Verse 1]
N.C.                G                     C  G
The weather finally broke in the middle of April
             C                             D
Jacob loaded up his wagon with last years furs
                           G                         C  G
He’d have to make the trip alone cause it would be too risky
                      C                    D
For his pretty wife Sarah and the unborn child
                 G
She carried with her


[Verse 2]
N.C.          G                              C G
It took three weeks to reach the Mississippi River
               C                D
And he turned south toward New Orleans
          G
Cor a boy from the mountains
                    C      G
It was easy to get caught up
                  C
In the sights and sounds of the city
        D                G
And the things he’d never seen


[Chorus]  
N.C.                C                  G
And the river rolls on like an endless river
              C                     D
The sun light glistens on the rocks below
                C  D                 G
He can hear her voice in the rippling water
                 C  D                      G
Saying please be home before the cold winds blow


[Verse 3]
N.C.    G             C    G
He fell in with a bad companion
                  C                       D
Said give me your money or I’ll take your life
               G                         C     G
Jacob drew his pistol and in less than a heart beat
                   C
The stranger lay dead on the floor
    D                     G
And someone had to pay the price


[Verse 4]
N.C.                 G                    C  G
And after three long years in a Louisiana prison
              C             G         D   G
He stands on the hill that overlooks his farm
         D           G                       C   G
With his woman by his side thanks God for his blessings
            C                       D                   G
And most of all for the blonde hair child resting in his arms


[Chorus]
N.C.                C                  G
And the river rolls on like an endless river
              C                     D
The sun light glistens on the rocks below
                C  D                 G
He can hear her voice in the rippling water
                 C  D                      G
Saying please be home before the cold winds blow


[Outro]
                    C  D                 G
Yes he can hear her voice in the rippling water
                 C  D                      G
Saying please be home before the cold winds blow