Glendy Burke
(Stephen Foster)

The Glendy Burke is a mighty fast boat
With a mighty fast captain, too
He sits up there on the hurricane roof
And he keeps his eye on the crew.
I can't stay here for they work too hard
I'm bound to leave this town,
I'll take my duds and tote 'em on my back
When the Glendy Burke comes down.

cho: Ho for Lousiana,
I'm bound to leave this town,
I'll take my duds and tote 'em on my back
When the Glendy Burke comes down.

The Glendy Burke has a funny old crew
And they sing the boatman's song;
They burn the pitch and the pine knot too
For to shove the boat along.
The smoke goes up and the engine roars
And the wheel goes round and round,
So fare you well for I'll take a little ride,
When the Glendy Burke comes down.

I'll work all night in the wind and storm
I'll work all day in the rain,
'Til I find myself on the levy-dock
In New Orleans again.
They make me mow in the hay-field here
And knock my head with the flail,
I'll go where they work with the sugar and the cane
And roll on the cotton bale.

My lady love is as pretty as a pink,
I'll meet her on the way,
I'll take her back to the sunny old south,
And there I'll make her stay.
So don't you fret my honey, dear
Oh don't you fret Miss Brown;
I'll take you back 'fore the middle of the week
When the Glendy Burke comes down.

RG