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
From old shanty town
We planned to marry
When June brought the summer
I couldn't wait
To make Patches my bride
But 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
Will 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 go to see her
Patches must think
That I love her no more
I hear a neighbour
Telling my father
He says a girl
Named 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