The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166854 Message #4016480
Posted By: GUEST,Julia L
31-Oct-19 - 07:22 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Peter Jones /Erie canal song
Subject: RE: Origins: Peter Jones /Erie canal song
Here are the lyrics as I heard them. I have a pdf of the tune which I can post if someone tells me how
PETER JONES Helen Hartness Flanders Collection Oliver Jenness York Village, Maine 1941 D13A Side B 3:54 /4:15
Peter Jones was a Schenectady boy and a lad both brave and bold He shipped before the mast on the Erie canal to sail the waters cold
He didn't pay his dues too faithfully ? and upward he did crawl To the cap'n and the mate of the schooner Polly Ann on the ragin' Erie Canal
There was old Bill Smith was a pirate ---- and a pirate too was he He never was known to spend a cent or to treat the company
*He gambled --and -- too and he stood near seven foot tall He---- all the whisky shops on the ragin' Erie Canal
*But he had a daughter ----Hil? she was just sixteen years old as in Hillary? She tumbled into love with Peter Jones that gallant sailor bold
*She quickly--- her father's--- and out of the stern did crawl And sailed away with Peter Jones on the ragin' Erie Canal
*When Old Bill Smith found that Hil? was gone oh much enraged was he He took a big drink of Schenectady rum and it went into his head
*He swore a big three story oath as he staggered down the street Saying shiver my timbers and blast my eyes if I don't get square with Pete
Peter Jones was aboard at the stern of his craft and attending to his biz Little did he think that old Bill Smith had got his dander riz
But he crept aboard so sneakily ------ And grabbed up the anchor in both of his hands and broke the young man's head
When old Bill Smith see what he had done he was very much surprised He swore another oath and overboard he went