Down by the river that flows by the coal yards.   Stands wooden houses with shutters torn down   There lives a girl everybody calls Patches   Patches my darling of Old Shanty town      We plan to marry when June brought the summer   I couldn't wait to make Patches my bride   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 would 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 dosn't know that I can't come to see her   Patches must think that I love her no more      I hear a neighbor tellin my father   He said a girl name of 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.