Josh MacRae - Messing about on the river

When the weather is fine,
then you know it's a sign
For messing about on the river.
If you take my advice,
there's nothing so nice
As messing about on the river.
There are long-boats and short boats and all sorts of craft,
And cruisers and keel boats and some with no draught.
So, take off your coat, go jump in a boat.
Go messing about on the river.

There are boats made from kits that’ll reach you in bits
For messing about on the river;
Or you might like to scull in a glass-fibre hull,
Just messing about on the river.
There are tillers and rudders and anchors and cleats
And ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets.
With the wind in your face, there's no finer place
Than messing about on the river. There are skippers and mates and rowing-club eights
Just messing about on the river.
There are pontoons and trots, and all sorts of knots
For messing about on the river.
With inboards and outboards and dinghies you sail.
The first thing you learn is the right way to bail.
In a one-seat canoe, you're the skipper and crew
When you're messing about on the river.

There are bridges and locks and moorings and docks
When you're messing about on the river.
There are whirlpools and weirs that you mustn't go near
When messing 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, go cast off your bow
Go messing about on the river.