Many are the products transported by these ships,
And vast is the volume for they make many trips,
So great is the traffic it is safe to relate,
There’s no other river has a commerce so great.
Michigan, Wisconsin and big Minnesota,
Furnish the greater part of the immense quota,
And the states further west help augment the treasure,
And Canada assists with a handsome measure.
Grain comes from all the states in the thrifty northwest,
And Manitoba’s wheat takes rank among the best,
Millions of tons of grain are yearly carried by,
And fill elevators that tower in the sky.
Lumber comes from the lakes above the river’s head,
And from the many streams by which the lakes are fed,
Copper and iron go east, coal always to the west,
And ordinary goods the way that pays the best.
Tea and silk from China, India and Japan,
And thousands of products, the handiwork of man,
Fruits from California, elegant wines from France,
And ev’ry thing on earth that does man’s wealth enhance.
One product not mentioned that moves itself along,
Is the excellent fish that in the river throng,
Myriads in number, of great value for food,
Catching them for pleasure does the fisherman good.
With commerce unequaled and beauty unexcelled,
And water as pretty as ever river held,
This elegant river, its story now outlined,
Deserves to be admired by all ranks of mankind.