Classic Poem

" Now who will cross to the other side
On a raft? " the young Boss cried.
" The old North River is boiling brown
And the bridge is battered down.
Now who will cross and risk his life,
Who has no child or wife?
On the Black Rock there on the other side
Is our Foreman, James McBride.

" He rode a log from the upper jam
Below the timber dam;
It splintered up on the Black Rock here
And flung him high and clear.
The river is rising fast tonight;
If you wait for broad daylight,
You will not see on the other side
Your Foreman, James McBride. "

Now two men stepped to the young Boss's side;
" We will man the raft, " they cried.
'Twas big Pat Heeney who stepped out there,
And the Frenchy, Joe Le Clare.
" We'll ride the waves, the rocks we'll clear,
And our hearts shall not know fear,
And we'll bring you back from the other side
Our Foreman, James McBride. "

We watched the raftsmen steer their way
To where the Black Rock lay;
We watched the Foreman wave his hand
And show them where to land;
But just as they reached the slippery rock
The waves gave them a shock,
And they could not get to Black Rock's side
And their Foreman, James McBride.

The waters carried them far away
Where the rapids fierce did play,
They waved their hands and called " goodbye "
Where the waters foamed so high;
But though they were carried far away,
The raft by the Rock did stay;
We saw it hang to the Black Rock's side,
Near the Foreman, James McBride.

Young James McBride was a raftsman bold,
Who feared not waves nor cold;
He jumped and made as firm a stand
On the raft as on dry land.
He steered his way through the rapids there
And round him he did stare,
Till the Shanty boys were pulled to the side
By their Foreman, James McBride.
. . . . . . . . . .

Now all you brave young Shanty men
Who want to " drive " again;
Now all you fine young Shanty boys
Who know a raftsman's joys, —
Remember those two lads so brave
Who steered their friend to save;
Remember the man, the Shanty's pride,
Our Foreman, James McBride.