132 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



Loggers, unlike most classes of men, are under the necessity 

 of manufacturing tlieir own songs.* The mariner, the patriot, 

 the soldier, and the lover have engaged the attention of gifted 

 bards in giving rhyme and measure to their feelings ; yet they 

 are not vi^ithout poetical sentiment. The following is inserted as a 

 specimen of log-swamp literature, composed by one of the loggers : 



THE LOGGER'S BOAST. 

 " Come, all ye sons of freedom throughout the State of Maine, 

 Come, all ye gallant lumbermen, and listen to my strain; 

 On the banks of the Penobscot, where the rapid waters flow, 

 O ! we'll range the wild woods over, and a lumbering will go ; 

 And a lumbering we'll go, so a lumbering will go, 

 O ! we'll range the wild woods over while a lumbering we go. 



When the white frost gilds the valleys, the cold congeals the flood ; 

 When many men have naught to do to earn their families bread ; 

 When the swollen streams are frozen, and the hills are clad with snow, 

 O! we'll range the wild woods over, and a lumbering we will go; 

 And a lumbering we'll go, so'a lumbering, &c. 



When you pass through the dense city, and pity all you meet, 

 To hear their teeth chattering as they hurry down the street; 

 In the red frost-proof flannel we're incased from top to toe. 

 While we range the wild woods over, and a lumbering we go; 

 And a lumbering we'll go, so a lumbering, &c. 



You may boast of your gay parlies, your pleasures, and your plays, 

 And pity us poor lumbermen while dashing in your sleighs; 

 We want no better pastime than to chase the buck and doe; 

 ! we'll range the wild woods over, and a lumbering we will go ; 

 And a lumbering we'll go, so a lumbering, &;c. 



The music of our burnished ax shall make the woods resound. 

 And many a lofty ancient Pine will tumble to the ground ; 

 At night, ho ! round our good camp-fire we will sing while rude winds blow: 

 O! we'll range the wild woods over while a lumbering we go; 

 And a lumbering we'll go, so a lumbering, &c. 



* I should make one exception ; J. G. Whittier has lifted his gifted pen for 

 them. 



