The oldest published version of the song runs in a series of unrhymed couplets:[4]
- Michael row de boat ashore, Hallelujah!
- Michael boat a gospel boat, Hallelujah!
- I wonder where my mudder deh (there).
- See my mudder on de rock gwine home.
- On de rock gwine home in Jesus' name.
- Michael boat a music boat.
- Gabriel blow de trumpet horn.
- O you mind your boastin' talk.
- Boastin' talk will sink your soul.
- Brudder, lend a helpin' hand.
- Sister, help for trim dat boat.
- Jordan stream is wide and deep.
- Jesus stand on t' oder side.
- I wonder if my maussa deh.
- My fader gone to unknown land.
- O de Lord he plant his garden deh.
- He raise de fruit for you to eat.
- He dat eat shall neber die.
- When de riber overflow.
- O poor sinner, how you land?
- Riber run and darkness comin'.
- Sinner row to save your soul.
-
- or
- Michel, row the boat a-shore
- Hallelujah!
- Then you'll hear the trumpet blow
- Hallelujah!
- Then you'll hear the trumpet sound,
- Hallelujah!
- Trumpet sound the world around
- Hallelujah!
- Trumpet sound the jubilee
- Hallelujah!
- Trumpet sound for you and me
- Hallelujah!