The Glendy Burk of the song is a paddle steamer plying the Mississippi River basin.
I can't stay here, for the work's too hard; I'm bound to leave this town; I'll take my duds and tote 'em on my back When the Glendy Burk comes down.
The Glendy Burk has a funny old crew And they sing the boatman's song, They burn the pitch and the pine knot too, For to shove the boat along.
They make me mow in the hay field here And knock my head with the flail, I'll go one day work with the sugar and the cane And roll on the cotton bale.
My lady love is as pretty as a pink, I'll meet her on the way I'll take her back to the sunny old south And there I'll make her stay.