Down by the river that flows by the coal yards,
stand wooden houses with shutters torn down.
There lives a girl everybody calls Patches.
Patches my darling of old Shanty town.
We planned to marry when June brought the summer.
I couldn't wait to make Patches my bride.
Now I don't see how that ever can happen
My folks say no, and my heart breaks inside.
Chorus:#1.
Pat ches, oh, what can I do? I swear I'll always love you.
But a girl from that place would just bring me disgrace,
so my folks won't let me love you.
Each night I cry, as I think of that shanty.
And pretty patches there watching the door.
She doesn't know that I can't come to see her
Patches must think, that I love her no more.
Chorus:#1.
I hear a neighbor telling my father
He says a girl name of Patches was found,
floating face down in that dirty old river,
that flows by the coal yards in old Shan ty town.
Chorus:#2.(x2)
Pat ches, oh, what can I do? I swear I'll always love you.
It may not be right but I'll join you tonight
Patches I'm coming to you.
A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.