Four in a boat and the tide rolls high,
Four in a boat and the tide rolls high,
Four in a boat and the tide rolls high,
Waiting for a pretty one to come on by.

Choose your partner and stay all day,
Choose your partner and stay all day,
Choose your partner and stay all day,
We don't care what the old folks say.

Eight in a boat and it won't go round,
Eight in a boat and it won't go round,
Eight in a boat and it won't go round,
Swing that pretty one that you've just found.

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Singing Together, Autumn 1970, BBC Publications

Notes:
Listed as 'Appalachian Mountain Song'.

The last verse, in particular, suggests it might be a dance call.

Roud: 7039 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: