The Glendy Burk

Stephen Foster, 1860

1. De Glendy Burk is a mighty fast boat,
Wid a mighty fast captain, too;
He sits up dah on de hurricane roof
And he keeps his eye on de crew.
I can't stay here, for de work's too hard;
I'm bound to leave dis town
I'll take my duds and tote ‘em on my back
When de Glendy Burk comes down.

Chorus:
Ho! For Louisiana!
I'm bound to leave dis town;
I'll take my duds and tote ‘em on my back
When de Glendy Burk comes down.

2. De Glendy Burk has a funny old crew
And dey sing de boatman's song,
Dey burn de pitch and de pineknot, too
For to shove de boat along.
De smoke goes up and de ingine (sic) roars
And de wheel goes round and round,
So fare you well! I'll take a little ride
When de Glendy Burk comes down.

Chorus


View the published score.

3. I'll work all night in de wind and storm,
I'll work all day in de rain,
Till I find myself on de levy-docks
In New Orleans again.
Dey make me mow in de hay field here
And knock my head wid de flail,
I'll go wha dey work wid de sugar and de cane
And roll on de cotton bale

Chorus

4. My lady love is pretty as a pink,
I'll meet her on de way
I'll take her back to de sunny old south
And dah I'll make her stay
So don't you fret, my honey dear,
Oh! Don't you fret, Miss Brown
I'll take you back ‘fore de middle of de week
When de Glendy Burk comes down.

Chorus

 

 

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