BOATING ON THE CANAL. 



John drives the mules from morn till night, 

 And often later when the moon is light, 

 His bed is hard and his food the same, 

 Both run short when the power is lame. 

 John cracks the whip and all things move, 

 That he's not happy you can't disprove, 

 No cares of business, trials of state, 

 No fear of collision when the ship is late. 

 John plods along and pushes the mule, 

 For he has no studies and knows no school, 

 The warble of the birds, the crispy air, 

 Give joy to his heart and curls his hair. 

 It's his only home and without a mother, 

 But a sister fair gently turns the rudder, 

 She delights to respond to the name of Sal, 

 They Captain a boat on the old canal. 



The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal keeps company 

 with the Potomac River as it winds it way from 

 Washington west through the Blue Ridge Mountains 

 and in its day ivas a great transportation way. 



