Lyr. Add: I'M AFLOAT
Music, Henry Russell, Lyrics, Eliza Cook, 1842

1
I'm afloat! I'm afloat! On the Erie Canal.
It's wave is my home and my scow beats them all.
Off! Up, with your hats!
Give three cheers, now three more.
I'm afloat! I'm afloat! After four months on shore.
The prim, painted packets right past us may souse.
They may rub. They may bump, but they can't stave our bows.
With darkness around us, and bridges full low,
O'er the raging canal right onward we go.
Come, boy. Whip the mare. Keep her hear to the wind,
And I'll warrant we'll soon leave the snails all behind.
Up! Up! with your caps. Now give cheers three times three.
I'm afloat! I'm afloat! The canaller is free.
I'm afloat! I'm afloat! And the cook's getting tea.

2
The night is pitch dark and the rain has let loose,
Who's afeerd while our scow swims like a goose.
What to her is the swash of Guv'nor Clinton's Big Ditch?
She has braved it six years under Captain Saul Fitch.
I fear not the breakers, I heed not the wave,
I've the towpath to steer by and a boathook to save.
And ne'er as a lubberly landman I'll quail,
When the Captain gives orders to take in all sail.
Ho! on deck here, my boy! Stand by with your poles.
There's a raft right ahead, Heaven save our poor souls.
Hard down with your helm! Make loose that line, fast!
Hurra, boys! Hurra, boys. The crisis is past.

I'm Afloat
With musical score and chords.

"The words to this song appeared in an 1842 Utica, New York newspaper. The composer was listed as Eliza Muggins, late cook. In fact, the tune is by Henry Russell and the original lyrics to I'm Afloat were by Eliza Cook."

Crossroads, University of Virginia. The website has "The Raging" Canal" and a few other songs, but links are down.