The Buffalo Smuggler

One night as I lay sleeping, a-drowsing in my bed,
I was thinking of the sorrows that crowned my aching head.
Surrounded I was by officers and with them I was forced to go
To serve a long and weary time in jail in Buffalo.

And when my time is over and once more I am free,
I'll go down to Sandusky my own true love to see.
Perhaps my girl will give me the bounce if she should come to know
That she's married to a smuggler who served time in Buffalo.

My girl she came from Patterson, and the truth to you I'll tell,
She was a minister's daughter and her parents loved her well.
She was brought up in fear of the Lord and little did they know
She'd be married to a smuggler served time in Buffalo.

From John Green, Beaver Island, collected by Ivan Walton.