The Glendy Burke

 

The Glendy Burke is a mighty fast boat,

With a mighty fast captain too;

He sits up there on the hurricane roof,

And he keeps an eye on the crew.

 

I can’t stay here for they work 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.

 

Ho! For Lou’si-ana!  I’m bound to leave this town,

I’ll take my duds and tote ‘em on my back,

When the Glendy Burke comes down.

 

The Glendy Burke has a funny old crew,

And they sing this boatman’s song,

They burn the pitch and the pine knot too,

Just to shove the boat along;

 

The smoke goes up and the engine roars

And the wheel goes round and round,

Then fare you well, for I’ll take a little ride

When the Glendy Burke comes down. 

 

Ho! For Lou’si-ana!  I’m bound to leave this town,

I’ll take my duds and tote ‘em on my back,

When the Glendy Burke comes down.

 

Stephen Foster wrote “The Glendy Burke” in 1860.  It is probable that he named it after the Glen D. Burk, a steamboat that traveled from Louisville to New Orleans on the Mississippi river during the 1850’s.