Down by the river that flows by the coal yards
stand wooden houses with shutters torn down.
There lives a girl everybody calls Patches.
Patches my darling of old Shantytown.
We planned to marry when June brought the summer
I couldn’t wait to make Patches my bride
now I don’t see how that ever can happen.
My folks say no and my heart breaks inside.
Patches oh what can I do
I 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.
Each night I cry as I think of that shanty
and pretty patches there watching the door.
She doesn’t know that I can’t come to see her
Patches must think that I love her no more.
I hear a neighbor telling my father
he says a girl name of Patches was found
floating face down in that dirty old river
that flows by the coal yards in old Shantytown.
Patches oh what can I do
I swear I’ll always love you.
It may not be right but I’ll join you tonight.
Patches I’m coming to you.
