Barges
(source: The first two verses appear in "Jubilee Songbook", p.56; also found in "Our Chalet Songbook", Our Chalet Committee, 1981, and in "Canciones de Nuestra Cabana", World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, 1980. The other verses are "extras" that someone has made up, but are not part of the original song. The story goes that a young girl, laying in her hospital room and dying from cancer, could look out her window and watch the barges passing on a nearby canal. She was inspired to write a song about her wish to be free like them. She was able to write the first two verses and the chorus to the song before she died. Out of respect, the traditional way to sing this song is to sing verses one and two as usual, then hum a third verse to represent the unfinished nature of this song.)

Out of my window, looking in the night

I can see the barges flickering light

Silently flows the river to the sea

And the barges too go silently

Chorus:

Barges, I would like to go with you

I would like to sail the ocean blue

Barges, have you treasures in your hold

Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?

Out of my window, looking in the night

I can see the barges flickering light

Starboard shines green and port is glowing red

I can see them flickering far ahead

Thanks to Sarah Wishert, here's a 3rd verse of Barges:

Thanks to Rebecca Saint for these extra verses!

Out of my window looking in the night

I can see the barges flickering light

Harbour ahead and anchorage in view

I will find my resting place with you

Away from my window on into the night

I will watch 'til they are out of sight

Taking their cargo far across the sea

How I'd wish that someday they would take me

Thanks to Colleen Beaupre for this extra verse!

Out of my window looking through the night

I can see the barges flickering light

People are sailing far and far away

And I hope to go with them one day