Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji. This is a folk song from Ontario, from the rich repertoire of work songs, sung by the woodworkers of the land when the wood cutting industry was still arguably the leading industry of the country in the 19th century. I arranged this in the style of 19th and early 20th century music, where salons and cafés would prominently feature the piano, an era in which this instrument was arguably central to the performance of local music.
Lyrics:
Ye girls of old Ontario, please listen to what I say
While raftsmen travel down the rapid river every day
And drivin' down those rapid streams, as raftsmen they must do
While the lazy and loafin' farmer boys they stay at home with you
While the lazy and loafin' farmer boys they stay at home with you
The lazy, loafin' farmer boys, they tell the girls great tales
They tell them of the danger when they're crossin' o'er the fiеlds
And the cuttin' of the grass and weeds is all that they can do
Whilе the burly, courageous shanty boys are drivin' down the Sault
While the burly, courageous shanty boys are drivin' down the Sault
And when the sun is goin' down, their ploughs they cast aside
They jump upon their horses' backs and homeward they do ride
And when the clock strikes eight or nine, then into bed they crawl
While out in Lac Saint-Louis we're a-runnin' in the squall
While out in Lac Saint-Louis we're a-runnin' in the squall
And when the springtime rolls around, the foreman he will say
"Lay down your saws and axes, boys, we drive the river today"
And the wind blows from the mountains which tosses us upside down
And it sets us in confusion for fear we'll all be drowned
Oh, it sets us in confusion for fear we'll all be drowned
So, it's lee-bore-down and lee-bore-round and set your sails aright
And we'll sail out immediately and leave the lakes behind
Yes, we'll sail out immediately and bid the lakes adieu
We'll steer a course for old Quebec, our sorrows to subdue
Oh, we'll steer a course for old Quebec, our sorrows to subdue
And when we get to Quebec town, the girls will jump for joy
Says one unto another one, "Here comes me shanty boy!"
So 'til the drive is over, my girls, just do the best you can
And you're sure to be glad you waited for your rovin' shanty man
Oh, you're sure to be glad you waited for your rovin' shanty man
Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji. This is a folk song from Ontario, from the rich repertoire of work songs, sung by the woodworkers of the land when the wood cutting industry was still arguably the leading industry of the country in the 19th century. I arranged this in the style of 19th and early 20th century music, where salons and cafés would prominently feature the piano, an era in which this instrument was arguably central to the performance of local music.
Lyrics:
Ye girls of old Ontario, please listen to what I say
While raftsmen travel down the rapid river every day
And drivin' down those rapid streams, as raftsmen they must do
While the lazy and loafin' farmer boys they stay at home with you
While the lazy and loafin' farmer boys they stay at home with you
The lazy, loafin' farmer boys, they tell the girls great tales
They tell them of the danger when they're crossin' o'er the fiеlds
And the cuttin' of the grass and weeds is all that they can do
Whilе the burly, courageous shanty boys are drivin' down the Sault
While the burly, courageous shanty boys are drivin' down the Sault
And when the sun is goin' down, their ploughs they cast aside
They jump upon their horses' backs and homeward they do ride
And when the clock strikes eight or nine, then into bed they crawl
While out in Lac Saint-Louis we're a-runnin' in the squall
While out in Lac Saint-Louis we're a-runnin' in the squall
And when the springtime rolls around, the foreman he will say
"Lay down your saws and axes, boys, we drive the river today"
And the wind blows from the mountains which tosses us upside down
And it sets us in confusion for fear we'll all be drowned
Oh, it sets us in confusion for fear we'll all be drowned
So, it's lee-bore-down and lee-bore-round and set your sails aright
And we'll sail out immediately and leave the lakes behind
Yes, we'll sail out immediately and bid the lakes adieu
We'll steer a course for old Quebec, our sorrows to subdue
Oh, we'll steer a course for old Quebec, our sorrows to subdue
And when we get to Quebec town, the girls will jump for joy
Says one unto another one, "Here comes me shanty boy!"
So 'til the drive is over, my girls, just do the best you can
And you're sure to be glad you waited for your rovin' shanty man
Oh, you're sure to be glad you waited for your rovin' shanty man
