Classic Poem

(George Whalen)

1. Oh, come all ye true bold raftsmen, and
friends both far and near. An accident most
horrible I mean to let — you hear. —
— It was one of our young heroes, George Whalen
he — was called; — He was drowned — on — McLaren's
jam, below the upper falls. —

2 The river was in a raging force and the waters they were high,
When the foreman said to Whalen, " This jam you've got to try.
You're young, you're strong and active, all dangers not to fear,
For you're the man to help us now to keep those waters clear. "

3 Said noble-hearted Whalen all to his comrades bold,
" Come one, come all together, boys, and we'll do as we are told.
We must obey our foreman, as nobles we should do. "
Just as he spoke the jam had broke and let poor Whalen through.

4 There were four of them upon the jam, while three of them got saved,
And noble-hearted Whalen sank far beneath the waves.
To heaven he cried for mercy, " Oh God, look down on me! "
A soul is free from an early [from earthly?] care, gone to eternity.

5 So come all ye true bold raftsmen, come listen to Whalen's fate.
Beware of those adventures before it is too late,
For death is lurking around you all, it's seekin' to destroy
The pride of many a father, likewise a mother's joy.