Steven harrison paulus   *note:it has been said that the version   Of this song done by dave van ronk is the one   That inspired lanegan to record it.      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 'till 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   When we're in the woods alone   For to pass away our long exile      A shanty man's life   Is a wearisome one   Tho some say it's free from care   It's the swinging of an axe   From morning 'till night   In the forest wild and drear