[Verse 1]
A shanty man's life is a wearisome one
Though some say it's free from care
It's the swinging of an axe from morning 'til night
In the forest wild and drear

[Verse 2]
Transported as we are from a lady so fair
To the banks of some lonely stream
Where the wolf, bear, and owl give a terrifying howl
And disturb our nightly dreams

[Verse 3]
Oh sleeping at night in our bunks without cheer
While the cold winter winds do blow
But as soon as the morning star does appear
To the wild woods we must go

[Verse 4]
Had we ale, wine, or beer, our spirits for to cheer
When we're in those woods so wild
Were a glass of whiskey shone while we're in the woods alone
For to pass away our long exile

[Verse 5]
A shanty man's life is a wearisome one
Though some say it's free from care
It's the swinging of an axe from morning 'til night
In the forest wild and drear