A Miners' Meeting
[air - 'The Raging Canal']

1
When miners get into a row about their mining ground,
A miners' meeting then is called, and miners flock around;
Each party clearly states his case, then both proclaim aloud,
"We'll introduce our evidence, then leave it to the crowd."

2
A witness then is called upon, who tells a crooked yarn,
Declares the diggings "jumpable," so far as he can "larn,"
Is positive they've not been worked as mining laws require;
And any man that says they have, he'll tell him he's a liar!

3
A witness on the other side tells quite another tale.
An interested party then presents a bill of sale,
And proves it clear, and furthermore, that he's been very sick,
Not able since he bought the claim to strike a single lick.

4
Now "Bob" brings up a man and proves "he has not been unwell,
But since the date of bill of sale has been as drunk as h-ll."
The friends of "Bob" begin to howl, and "Jake's" begin to swear,
A few go in and fight it out, or "try it on the square."

5
A call is made from either side to hear the ayes and noes—
By this time half the crowd is drunk, and care not how it goes;
And all begin to curse and swear, and out with bowie-knives,
All ready, should it come to blows, to take each other's lives.

6
A drunken bully in the crowd throws off his hat and coat,
And right or wrong, no matter which, he thus demands the vote—
"Now all in favor of OLD BOB will please to hollow AYE,
And all who vote the other way shall leave the diggings dry."

7
The crowd send forth a hideous howl, and "Bob" has won the day,
Who now invites all hands to drink before they go away,
"Old Jake" concludes he's badly beat, and quietly retires,
Well satisfied that "Bob" has raised the largest crowd of liars!


Put's Golden Songster, pp. 28-29

Text & tune in Lingenfelter & Dwyer, The Songs of the Gold Rush, pp. 77-78, and Songs of the American West, pp 136-137.

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Click to play (pdmusic.org)

For tune notes, see the song "Poker Jim" in the thread on Put's Original California Songster.

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