| Down by the river that flows by the coal yards. |
| Stands wooden houses with shutters torn down |
| There lives a girl everybody calls Patches |
| Patches my darling of Old Shanty town |
|
| We plan 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 tellin my father |
| He said a girl name of Patches was found |
| Floating face down in that dirty old river |
| That flows by the coal yards in Old Shanty Town |
|
| 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. |
