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's dreary clime When rode the fatal rapids For that last and fatal time
They found his body lying On the rocky shore below Where the silent water ripples And the whispering cedars blow

Now every raft of lumber That comes down the Chippe way, There's a lonely grave that's Visited by drivers on their way  They plant wild flowers upon it In the morning fair and fine 'Tis the grave of two young lovers From the river in the pines