I've finished the song and am quite happy with it. My partner definitively vetoed "Barnardo Boy's Lament", so we landed on "Frederick Shortt's Lament". But we've gotten into the habit of just calling it Fred. Here are the words - I made up how the father died, but every other detail in the story comes from what the family told me about this boy.

Frederick Shortt's Lament

The waves that ate my father's ship left us a desperate house
Twas more than mother could hope to do to fill three empty mouths
My brother, he was too young to part, my sister was too dear
It fell on me to play the man, and I in my sixth year.

My mother said, "It won't be far, 'twill be just for a while.
Be good, be strong, and say your prayers, just like on dear Wight Isle."
She packed my clothes and my Testament, I put aside my toys
And knocked upon the doorway of Barnardo's Home for Boys.

How little did my mother know
When she begged me, "Fred, don't cry,"
The waves would carry me off as well
And this was our goodbye.

Those lonely months on the mainland my home and friends I missed
Until the day I found my name at the head of the Canada list
I'd go across the ocean wide to be a farmer's ward
And sell my small hands' labour for my schooling, bed, and board.

They brought me pen and paper the morning that I sailed
My news and my fondest wishes to family then were mailed
With a trunk and a blessing for each of us we queued up at the dawn
To board that good ship's steerage and set off for Saint John.

How little did my mother know
When she led me from her door
My fortune lay in Canada
I'd ne'er see England more.

We rode the train to Toronto town, amazed by miles of trees
The farmers came from all around to pick what boy they'd please
I went to a St. Thomas farm and spent some decent years
Until my boss sold off his land, left me with naught but tears.

My next boss lived in Utterson, George Truesetter by name
I worked like hell to earn my keep but got his belt and blame
His children all went off to school but I was left behind
The cows and pigs I tended were the best friends I could find.

How little did my mother know
When she gave me to their care
The lands I was to travel in
The burdens I would bear.

As soon as I was old enough I took my clothes and pay
And married sweet little Alice Greer one bright and blessed day
We built a house on her parents' land right here by Skeleton Lake
We cleared the trees and bred the stock for all our children's sake.

My boys work hard and do their share, but I won't let them miss school
My girls will never be lone or shamed, though they don't know wealth or jewel
And as for me and my Alice, well, we're better off than then
These walls are humble but they're my own, I'll never leave again.