Some of my older relatives worked on the Machias river log drives, and, as a boy I heard them talk about this song. They swear it took place on the Machias river. Anyway.. no one has asked, which indicates that no one cares, but, in case someone does, the deacons seat might bear explanation. In logging camps of long ago, there were few forms of entertainment. One of them was story telling, and, some very tall tales were invented.(Including Paul Bunyon) If it was your turn to tell a story, you were taking the "Deacon's seat". And, if you told the truth, you probably had to eat Mooseturd pie.