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 Shantytown.
We planned to marry when June brought the summer I couldnât wait to make Patches my bride now I donât see how that ever can happen. My folks say no and my heart breaks inside. [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/dickey_lee/patches.html ]
Patches oh what can I do I swear Iâll always love you but a girl from that place would just bring me disgrace so my folks wonât let me love you.
Each night I cry as I think of that shanty and pretty patches there watching the door. She doesnât know that I canât come to see her Patches must think that I love her no more.
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 Shantytown.
Patches oh what can I do I swear Iâll always love you. It may not be right but Iâll join you tonight. Patches Iâm coming to you.