I don't see any merit in this song, except as a curious historical artifact.

From the Library of Congress:


THE SHANTY-TOWN BRIGADE
Words and music by J. F. Mitchell
New York: Benj. W. Hitchcock, ©1885.

1. "Shanty-town's a famous place, full of life and full of vim.
Water there is very scarce, so the people never swim.
Hungry kids and noisy goats meet ev'rywhere you go.
Once the people used to work, but it's very long ago.
Now the only thing that works is an old "tomato can,"
And it's nearly work'd to death, by ev'ry woman, child, and man.
Sometimes if a man by chance works a day and then gets paid,
He is met by all the gang called the "Shanty-town brigade."

CHORUS: For the goats go "Mah-ma-ah," and the flags and banners fly,
Be civil and discreet to ev'ryone you meet, or you may get a wallop in the eye.
They have no respect for law, and of jail they're not afraid.
The devil is about when the gang turns out, in the "Shanty-town brigade."

2. If they go to jail today, by tomorrow they'll be back.
All the ladies' eyes are blue, 'till their husbands paint them black.
Ev'ry house is built alike; ev'rything is on one floor.
If you want to go inside, strike the "chimney;" that's the door.
Flags from ev'ry housetop fly, with the balmy breezes flirt:
"Mary's" Sunday petticoat, or maybe "Patsy's" Sunday shirt,
There's no "Vassar college girls," or fashionable parties there.
When the ladies want some fun, they just pull each other's hair.