source: “The Maine Woods Songster” edited by Phillips Barry, 1939
Come all you sons of freedom, throughout the state of Maine
Come all you gallant lumbermen, and listen to my strain,
On the banks of the Penobscot, where the rapid water flows
(Ch)
We’ll range the wild woods over and a lumbering we’ll go
And a lumbering we’ll go
We’ll range the wild woods over and a lumbering we’ll go
When the white frost gilds the valleys and cold congeals the flood
When many men have naught to do to earn their families bread
When the swollen streams are frozen, and the hills are clad with snow
(Ch)
When you pass through the dense city and pity all you meet
To hear their teeth chattering as they hurry down the street
But in red frost proof flannel we’re encased from top to toe
(Ch)
The music of our burnished axe shall make the woods resound
And many a lofty ancient pine will tumble to the ground
But at night around our campfire we’ll sing while rude winds blow
(Ch)
When our youthful days have ended we’ll cease from winter’s toils
And each one through the summer warm will till the virgin soil
We’ve enough to eat to drink to wear, content through life to go
Then we’ll tell our wild adventures and no more a lumbering go
And no more a lumbering go
We’ll tell our wild adventures and no more a lumbering go