We are drifting down the stream of life
With its many crooks and pranks
But with fond recollections
Of some fun along the banks

A picnic in the moonlight
A dance beneath the stars
That twinkle in the heavans
Like Jupiter and Mars

The fiddle and the banjo
Likewise the old guitar
The caller calling changes
You could hear him from afar

I loved those old time frolics
And it fills my heart with pain
To know those are past and gone
To never come again

I can see that little building
That sat off in the trees
That little one room school house
There we learned our A, B, C's

It was there we learned to read and write
Also arithmatic
And discipline was renered
By the master's hickory stick

At recess or at noontime
We would rush out from that hall
For a game of tag, or prisoner's base
Perhaps a game of ball

But if the snow was on the ground
We would run out to the hill
And with our sleds go sliding down
Down past the lumber mill

There was a pond behind that mill
Where we would go and skate
And hurry back to classes
Before the bell tolled lated

When summer's sun had warmed the pond
There we would go in swimming
And so we changed from boys and girls
To grown up men and women

We learn what life is all about
And do our best to lick it
Some of our schemes were on the square
While some were not quite cricket

But I learned one thing along life's stream
That really cheers a man
Is just to keep on paddling
And do the best he can

We paddle up the rocky gorge
And reach the great divide
And after lingering there a spell
Go down the other side

The stream is not bad from here on in
If we just grin and bear it
If your drifting all alone
Or have have some to share it with

Just keep your rudder straight ahead
And keep your craft a float
Remember there are others
In this same old kinda boat

And if they are stuck up on a bar
Just lend a helpling hand
The time may come
When you may need a push from the sand

If your boat it gets too rocking
And you feel a little fear
Just put your trust in him above
And He, the storm will clear

Just hold His course, as you drift along
You will reach that golden gate
And anchor in the Promised Land
With peace for ever more.