“The D & H Canal”
Description
(After an unrelated opening stanza), the song describes a flood which hit the canal in 1878. "The embankment broke" and "the damage was terrific"; the rest of the song details some of the damage done
Supplemental text
D & H Canal, The
Partial text(s)
*** A ***
From Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, Folk Songs
of the Catskills, #172, p. 624. As sung by Harry Siemsen.
Around and 'round the Wurtsboro bend
The big boat chased the squeezer.
Pat Flax's boat had passed them both
Slicker than the weasel,
Slicker than the weasel.
In Eighteen Seventy-Eight, the Canal
Was hit by a freshet;
The embankment broke and flooded The Vly,
The damage was terrific,
The damage was terrific.
(1 additional stanza)
Historical references
- 1828 - Opening of the Delaware & Hudson Canal
- 1898 - The D & H Canal closes
Cross references
- cf. "Pop Goes the Weasel" (tune) and references there
- cf. "Sarah Jane" (tune, floating lyrics)
References
- FSCatskills 172, "The D & H Canal" (1 text, 1 tune)
- ST FSC172 (Partial)
- BI, FSC172