A Shantymans Life

E B Oh, a shanty-man's life is a wearisome life, C#m B C#m although some think it void of care E B Swinging an ax from morning till night C#m B C#m in the midst of the forests so drear. E C#m Lying in the shanty bleak E C#m and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow, F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m And as soon as the daylight doth appear, to the wild woods we must go. E B Oh, the cook rises up in the middle of the night saying, C#m B C#m “Hurrah, brave boys, it's day." E B Broken slumbers ofttimes are passed C#m B C#m as the cold winter night whiles away. E C#m Had we rum, wine or beer our spirits E C#m for to cheer in days so lonely do dwine, and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow, F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m Or a glass of any shone while in the woods alone for to cheer up our troubled minds. E B But when spring it does set in, double hardships begin, C#m B C#m when the waters are piercing cold, E B And our clothes are dripping wet and fingers benumbed, C#m B C#m and our pike-poles we scarcely can hold. E C#m Betwixt rocks, shoals and sands E C#m give employment to all hands our well-banded raft for to steer, and cold while the cold stormy wintry winds blow, F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m And the rapids that we run, oh, they seem to us but fun, for we're void of all slavish fear. E B Oh, a shanty lad is the only lad I love, C#m B C#m and I never will deny the same. E B My heart doth scorn these conceited farmer boys C#m B C#m who think it a disgraceful name. E C#m They may boast about their farms, E C#m but my shanty-boy has charms so far, far surpassing them all, F# C#m F# E C#m B C#m Until death it doth us part he shall enjoy my heart, let his riches be great or small.