1. I'm afloat, I'm Afloat on the Erie Canal,
Its wave is my home and my scow beats them all;
Up, up with your hats, give three cheers now three more,
I'm afloat, I'm afloat after four months on shore.
2. I fear not for breakers, I hear not the wave,
I've a towpath to steer by, the boat hook to save;
And ere as a lubberly landsman I'll wail,
When the captain gives orders to take in your sails.
3. Come boy whip the mare, keep her head to the wind,
My warrant will soon leave the stales all behind;
Up, up with your caps, now give cheers three times three,
I'm afloat , I'm afloat the canaller is free,
We're afloat, we're afloat, and the cook's getting tea.
View the published score. |
4. Oh, the night is pitch dark, and the rain has cut loose,
Who's afeared while our scow she swims on like a goose;
What to her is the squash of Clinton's big ditch,
She has braved it six years under Captain Saul Fitch.
5. While the prim painted Packets right past us may souse,
They may rub, they may bunt, but they can't stave our bows;
With the darkness around us, and the bridges full low,
O'er the raging canal straight onward we'll go.
6. On deck here me boys now stand by with your poles,
There's a raft right ahead, heaven save our poor souls;
Hard down with your helm now makes loose that line fast,
Hurrah boys, hurrah boys the crisis is passed,
We're afloat; we're afloat on the Erie at last. |
