PATCHES

Down by the river that flows by the coal yard

Stand wooden houses with shutters drawn down

There lives a girl everybody call Patches

Patches my darling of old shanty town

We plan to marry when June brought the summer

I couldn't want to make Patches my bride

Now I don't see how that ever can happen

My folks say no and my heart breaks inside

Chorus

Patches, Oh what can I do?

I'll swear I'll always love you

But a girl from that place

Would just bring me disgrace

So my folks won't let me love you

All night I cry as I think of the Shanty

And pretty Patches there watching the door

She doesn't know that

I can't come to meet her

Patches must think I love her no more

I heard a neighbour telling my father

He said a girl name of Patches was found

Floating face downwards

In that dirty old river

Down by the boat yard in old Shanty Town

Chorus

Patches, Oh what can I do?

I'll swear I'll always love you

It may not be right

But I'll join you tonight