Oh, Mary was a maiden

When the birds began to sing

She was sweeter than the blooming rose

So early in the spring

Her thoughts were gay and happy

And the morning gay and fine

For her lover was a river boy

From the river in the pines



Now Charlie, he got married

To his Mary in the spring

When the trees were budding early

And the birds began to sing

But early in the autumn

When the fruit is in the wine

I'll return to you, my darling

From the river in the pines



It was early in the morning

In Wisconsin dreary clime

When he ruled the fatal rocket

For that last and feudal time

They found his body lying

On the Rocky shore below

Where the silent water ripples

And the whispering cedars blow



Now every raft or lumber

That's come down, the chip away

There's a lonely grave that's

visited by drivers on their way

They plant the wild flowers upon it

In the morning fair and fine

'Tis the grave of two young lovers

From the river in the pines