Flood of Shawneetown

In the town of Shawneetown

As the evening shades cames down

On a quiet Sabbath evening, cold and gray

While the people walked the street

Or in dear communion sweet

Within their peaceful homes the close of day

All at once the bells were ringing

With a wild and awful din

While the fearful fact breaks over one and all

That the faithful levees broke

Pales the lips of those who spoke

While the roaring, clashing, awful flood comes in

There were heroes, too, that day

Franklin Robinson, they say

With his boat brought many safely to the shore

While they struggled with the waves

He rowed out, their lives to save

Working bravely ‘til the awful flood was o’er

Father Bikeman saw it coming

Like a giant mountain high

And he knew what dangers in his pathway lie

But he did his duty well

While he boldly rang the bell

Warning all within the danger line to fly

In the town of Shawneetown

There are broken hearts and homes

Since that fateful Sabbath evening, cold and gray

Where was once all smiles and light

There is not but darkest night

Where was once a happy city, wrecks appear

Let us rally to their hardship

From the city, hill and plain

Give our sympathy and money to their aid

Soon calamity may fall

On our loved ones, homes and all

May be separated ne’re to meet again