The Glendy Burk
The Glendy Burk is an American folk song by Stephen Foster. It appears in James Buckley's New Banjo Book published in 1860.[1] The Glendy Burk of the song is a paddle steamer plying the Mississippi River basin.[2] The boat was named for Glendy Burke: the 29th mayor of New Orleans.
Lyrics
- The Glendy Burk is a mighty fast boat,
- With a mighty fast captain too;
- He sits up there on the hurricane roof
- And he keeps his eye on the crew.
- I cant stay here, for the works' too hard;
- I'm bound to leave this town;
- I'll take my duds and tote 'em on my back
- When the Glendy Burk comes down.
- Chorus:
- Ho! for Louisiana!
- I'm bound to leave this town;
- I'll take my duds and tote 'em on my back
- When the Glendy Burk comes down.
- The Glendy Burk has a funny old crew
- And they sing de boatman's song,
- they burn the pitch and the pine knot too,
- For to shove the boat along.
- The smoke goes up and the engine roars
- And the wheel goes round and round,
- So fair ye well for I'll take a little ride
- When de Glendy Burk comes down.
- 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 dock
- 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.
- My lady love is as 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 dont you fret my honey dear,
- Oh! dont you fret Miss Brown
- I'll take you back 'fore de middle of de week
- When de Glendy Burk comes down.[3]
References
- ↑ YouTube video
- ↑ List of documents on Louisiana State University in Shreveport website
- ↑ Lyrics at the University of Pittsburgh