A shanty man's life is a wearisome one

Though some say it's free from care

It's the swinging of an axe from morning 'til night

In the forest wild and drear

Transported as we are from a lady so fair

To the banks of some lonely stream

Where the wolf bear and owl

Give a terrifying howl and disturb our nightly dreams

Oh sleeping at night in our bunks without cheer

While the cold winter winds do blow

But as soon as the morning star does appear

To the wild woods we must go

Had we ale wine or beer our spirits far to cheer

When we're in those woods so wild

Where a glass of whiskey shone

While we're in the woods alone

For to pass away our long exile

A shanty man's life is a wearisome one

Though some say it's free from care

It's the swinging of an axe from morning 'til night

In the forest wild and drear