Hi, Detlev - I saw this thread a couple hours ago, and forgot that I was familiar with the song. I'm friends with Dick Holdstock and I work for Debby McClatchy, and I've heard both of them sing this.


Humbug Steamship Companies
(John A. Stone "Old Put")
[tune: Uncle Sam's Farm]

The greatest imposition that the public ever saw,
Are the California steamships that run to Panama;
They're a perfect set of robbers, and accomplish their designs
By a gen'ral invitation of the people to the mines.

CHORUS:
Then come along, come along, you that want to go,
The best accommodations, and the passage very low;
Our boats they are large enough, don't be afraid,
The Golden Gate is going down to beat the Yankee Blade.
Then come along, don't be afraid,
The Golden Gate is going down to beat the Yankee Blade.

2
They have opposition on the route, with cabins very nice,
And advertise to take you for half the usual price;
They get thousands from the mountains, and then deny their bills,
So you have to pay the prices, or go back into the hills.

3
When you start from San Francisco, they treat you like a dog,
The victuals you're compell'd to eat ain't fit to feed a hog;
And a drunken mate a cursing and damning you around,
And wishing that the boat would sink and every one be drowned.

4
The captain goes to dinner and begins to curse the waiter,
Knocks him out of hearing with a thundering big potato;
The cabin maid, half crazy, breaks the meat dish all to smash,
And the steward comes a running with a plate of mouldy hash.

5
You are driven round the steerage like a drove of hungry swine,
And kicked ashore at Panama by the Independent Line;
Your baggage is thrown overboard, the like you never saw,
A trip or two will sicken you of going to Panama.

source: Lingenfelter and Dwyer, Songs of the American West