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