The Mississippi Wide
by the Crew of the Lilly Belle, for
Captain Ike Hastings

Gather 'round people to a story I will tell
of Captain Ike Hasting and the Lilly Belle
and of a mighty ol' river that flows through this land
she's called the Mississippi and Ike, he is her friend

A lover of rivers and anything that floats
Ike set his heart on building a bigger boat
he chose a sternwheeler and laid out his plans
the Lilly Belle took shape from the captains own two hands.

Chorus:
And they would roll, roll, roll, down the river of life
and they would roll, roll, roll, down the river of life
with Captain Ike Hasting and the Mississippi Wide

Eight young explorers, they joined him as his crew
to study the rivers and plants that grew
the herons and walleye , the people and the towns
with their hearts and minds a sail'in the spirits where unbound

Peggy wove a web of everything they wrote
she posted their pictures and the daily quote
They started as stranger but soon began to see
that the magic of the river was all that they would need

Chorus:
And they would roll, roll, roll, down the river of life
and they would roll, roll, roll, down the river of life
with Captain Ike Hasting and the Mississippi Wide

They shared their adventure with people 'round the globe
the sunsets, their laughter, as their journey did unfold
With Captain Ike Hastings and they learned the river well
this river of life and the story it has to tell

So Captain Ike Hastings and the Lilly Belle
We thank you, we love you, and we wish you well
As onward you travel, and onward you roam
We celebrate this river - the place you call home

Chorus:
And they would roll, roll, roll, down the river of life
and they would roll, roll, roll, down the river of life
with Captain Ike Hasting and the Mississippi Wide