PACKET RATS SHANTIES of FLORIDA
FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL 2026
SHANTY WORKSHOP
All For Me Grog - Fore-bitters / Fo’c’s’le
Away Rio - Capstan Shanty / Outbound
Belemina - Bahamian Smuggling Song
Boney Was A Warrior - Short Drag
Bonnie Heiln’ Laddie - Long Drag / Halyard
Bully In The Alley - Long Drag / Halyard
Bye, Bye, Roseanna - Heaving / Capstan – Homeward
Dollar and a Half A Day - Cargo Loading
Fall Down Billy O’Shea - Capstan Shanty
Haul Away Joe - Short Drag / Stamp & Go
Johnson Girls - Net Hauling Song
Last Shanty - Contemporary / Sailor’s Lament
Leave Her Johnny - Heaving / Capstan – Homeward
Leaving of Liverpool - Fore-bitters / Fo’c’s’le
Mermaid - Fore-bitters / Fo’c’s’le
Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Rowing Shanty
Mingulay Boat Song - Rowing Shanty
Paddy Doyle’s Boots - Furling Shanty
Roll Alabama Roll - Long Drag / Halyard
Roll The Auld Chariot - Long Drag / Halyard
Roll The Woodpile Down - Cargo Loading
Rollin’ Home - Heaving Shanty
Rolling Down to Old Maui - Fore-bitters / Fo’c’s’le
Shove It Over - Railroad Lining Shanty
South Australia - Capstan Shanty – Outbound
Water Is Wide - Rowing Shanty
We’ll Rant & We’ll Roar (Cortez) - Capstan Shanty
____________________________________
ALL FOR ME GROG
Chorus: And it's all for me grog, me jolly, jolly grog,
All gone for beer and tobacco.
Well I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin,
Now, across the western ocean we must wander.
Where is me hat, me noggy, noggy hat?
All gone for beer and tobacco.
Well the brim is won out and the crown is kicked about,
And me hair is looking out for better weather. (Chorus)
Where is me shirt, me noggy, noggy shirt?
All gone for beer and tobacco.
Well, the sleeves are worn out, and the collar's kicked about,
And me tails is looking out for better weather. (Chorus)
Where are me boots, me noggy, noggy boots?
All gone for beer and tobacco.
Well, the soles are worn out, and the heels are kicked about,
And me toes is looking out for better weather. (Chorus)
Where are me pants, me noggy, noggy pants?
All gone for beer and tobacco.
Well, the cuffs are worn out, and the fly is kicked about,
And me “arse” is looking out for better weather. (Chorus)
Where ere me wench, me noggy, noggy wench?
All gone for beer and tobacco.
Her riggings all wore out and her bow’s been knocked about
And her stern is looking out for better weather. (Chorus)
I'm sick and stony broke, and I'm parted from me smoke,
And the sky is looking blacker than the thunder,
And the tavern keeper, too, for I haven't got a sou.
That's the way you're treated when you're out and under. (Chorus)
I'm sick to me head, and I haven't been to bed,
Since first we come ashore with all me plunder.
I see centipedes and snakes, and I'm full of pains and aches,
And, I guess, we'd better push out over yonder. (Chorus)
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AWAY RIO (RIO GRANDE)
SH: I’ll sing you a song, a good song of the sea,
CH: Away , Rio!
SH: I’ll sing you a song if you’ll sing it with me,
CH: And we’re bound for the Rio Grande.
CHORUS: Singing, Away Rio, Away Rio!
So fare-ye-well my pretty young girls,
An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande!
Oh say was you ever in Ri-o Grande?
Away , Rio!
It’s there that the river runs down golden strand,
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus
We’ll man up the capstan and walk her around,
Away , Rio!
And haul up the anchor to this jolly sound.
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus
Now the anchor’s is weighed and the sails are all set
Away , Rio!
The girls that we’re leaving we’ll never forget
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus
We’ve a jolly good ship and a jolly good crew
Away , Rio!
A brass-knuckled mate and a rough skipper too.
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus
Farewell to the girls that we left in this town
Away , Rio!
We’ve left you enough for to buy a silk gown.
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus
Our ship went a-sailing out over the bar,
Away , Rio!
And pointed our bow to the great Southern star
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus
Now farewell to Sally and goodbye to Sue
Away , Rio!
And them that are listening it’s farewell to you.
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande. ~ Chorus (TWICE)
SH: = Shantyman
CH: = Chorus / sung by crew
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BELEMINA
(Crisp with calypso beat)
Belemina, Belemina, Belemina in de harbor
Belemina, Belemina, Belemina in de harbor
Put the Belemina on the dock
And paint the Belemina black, black, black
Paint the Belemina black, black, black
When she come home she was white.
Oh de Mystry, oh de Mystry, she used to carry whiskey
Oh de Mystry, oh de Mystry, little boat mighty frisky
Put the Mystry on the dock
And paint the Mystry black, black, black
Paint the Mystry black, black, black
When she come home she was white.
Oh de N’agwa, oh de N’agwa, she stuck in Key West harbor
Oh de N’agwa, oh de N’agwa, she carry a funny cargo
Put the N’agwa on the dock
And paint the N’agwa black, black, black
Paint the N’agwa black, black, black
When she come home she was white.
(*1st two lines quietly)
Belemina, Belemina, Belemina in de harbor
Belemina, Belemina, Belemina in de harbor
Put the Belemina on the dock
And paint the Belemina black, black, black
Paint the Belemina black, black, black
When she come home she was white.
______________________________
BONNY HEILAN' LADDIE
Was you ever in Quebec, Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie,
Stowing timber on the deck, Bonny hielan' laddie
Was you ever in Dundee, Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie,
There some pretty ships you'll see, Bonny hielan' laddie
CHORUS: Hey, ho, and away we go,
Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie
Hey, ho, and away we go,
Bonny hielan' laddie
Was you ever in Mobile Bay, Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie,
Loading cotton by the day, Bonny hielan' laddie
Was you ever 'round Cape Horn, Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie,
With the Lion and the Unicorn, Bonny hielan' laddie
CHORUS
Was you ever in Monterey, Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie,
On that town with three months pay, Bonny hielan' laddie
Was you ever in Aberdeen, Bonny laddie, hielan' laddie,
Prettiest girls that you've ever seen, Bonny hielan' laddie
CHORUS – 2 X
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BULLY IN THE ALLEY
Traditional Arr. by Tom Lewis
1st VERSE & CHORUS:
Help me Bob I'm bully in the alley.
(Way, hey, bully in the alley)
Help me Bob I'm bully in the alley.
(Bully down in Shinbone Al…)
Sally is a girl that I loved dearly,
(Way, hey, bully in the alley)
Sally is a girl that I spliced nearly,
(Bully down in Shinbone Al…) chorus
For seven long years I courted Sally,
(Way, hey, bully in the alley)
All she did was dilly-dally,
(Bully down in Shinbone Al...) chorus
I left Sal and I went a-sailing.
(Way, hey, bully in the alley)
Signed on a big ship, I went a-whaling,
(Bully down in Shinbone Al...) chorus
If I ever get back to her I'll marry little Sally.
(Way, hey, bully in the alley)
Have six kids and live in Shinbone Alley
(Bully down in Shinbone Al...) chorus
I thought I heard the old man saying,
(Way, hey, bully in the alley)
One more chorus then we're belaying,
(Bully down in Shinbone Al -- yip)
___________________________
BYE, BYE, ROSEANNA
1st VERSE & CHORUS:
Bye-bye bye-bye, bye-bye bye-bye,
Bye-bye my Roseanna.
Bye-bye bye-bye, bye-bye bye-bye,
I won't be home tomorrow.
A dollar a day is a sailor’s pay,
Bye-bye my Roseanna.
It's easy come easy slip away,
I won't be home tomorrow. chorus
The boats are sailin' round the bend,
Bye-bye my Roseanna.
All loaded down with fishermen,
I won't be home tomorrow. chorus
We're sailing out across the bay,
Bye-bye my Roseanna.
We won't be back for many's the day,
I won't be home tomorrow. chorus
Around the horn we must go,
Bye-bye my Roseanna.
The gales are strong and the winds do blow,
I won't be home tomorrow. chorus
Oh Roseanne, sweet Roseanne,
Bye-bye my Roseanna.
Oh Roseanne, sweet Roseanne,
AND I won't be home tomorrow. chorus
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DOLLAR AND A HALF A DAY / LOWLANDS
1st VERSE & CHORUS:
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
Lowlands away, I heard him say
My dollar and a half a day
A dollar and a half is a black man’s pay
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
I thought I heard the old man say
A dollar and a half a day
Five dollars and a half is a hoosier’s pay
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
A dollar and a half is a matlow’s pay
A dollar and a half a day
We’re bound away for Mobile Bay
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
I’ve bound away to Mobile Bay
A dollar and a half a day
Were you ever down in Mobile Bay
Lowlands, Lowlands away my John
Screwing cotton by the day
A dollar and a half a day
Oh heave her up and away we’ll go
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
Oh heave her up and away we’ll go
A dollar and a half a day
I thought I heard my mother say
Lowlands, lowlands away my John
Come home my son, come home from sea
A dollar and a half a day
SHANTYMAN: Lowlands, lowlands away my John
Lowlands away, I heard him say
My dollar and a half a day
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FALL DOWN BILLY O'SHEA
Oh, we all got drunk in Dublin City.
Fall down, me Billy.
We all got drunk and more’s the pity!
Oh, it's fall down, Billy O'Shea.
CHORUS:
Fall down, fall down,
Fall down, me Billy.
Were bound away for Americay.
Oh, it's fall down, Billy O'Shea.
We went to sleep of Liffey Quay.
Fall down, me Billy.
And when we awoke, we were all at sea.
Fall down, Billy O'Shea.
Oh, we are no sailors, Captain Drew.
Fall down, me Billy.
And quite unhappy to sail with you.
Fall down, Billy O'Shea.
The Captain said "I've a cure for that".
Fall Down me Billy.
And here for a start is the dose of the cat.
Fall Down Billy O'Shea.
So we swung him up to the top'sl yard.
Fall down, me Billy.
When he hit the deck, oh, he hit it hard.
Fall down, Billy O'Shea.
And we wrapped him up in the canvas sail.
Fall down, me Billy.
And we lowered him gently o'er the rail.
Fall down, Billy O'Shea.
SLOWER:
Over the side and down he goes?
Fall Down me Billy.
He's gone to Davy Jones with a stitch through his nose.
Fall down Billy O'Shea.
Farewell, Farewell, Farewell my Billy
"We're bound away for Americay.
Fall down, Billy O'Shea.
UPTEMPO:
Fall down, Fall down, Fall down, me Billy.
"We're bound away for Americay.
Fall down, Billy O'Shea.
___________________________
HAUL AWAY JOE
When I was a little boy so my mother told me.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
That if I did not kiss the girls, my lips would all grow mouldy.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
CHORUS: Way haul away, we’ll haul for better weather.
Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.
Way haul away, we’ll haul away together.
Away haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.
King Louis was the king of France before the revo-lu-t-i-on.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
And then he got his head chopped off, it spoiled his con-sti-tute-i-on.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. CHORUS:
Saint Patrick was a gentleman. He came from decent people.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
He built a church in Dublin town and on it put a steeple.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. CHORUS:
Once I was in Ireland a ‘digging turf and taties.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
But now I’m on a Yankee ship a’hauling on the braces.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. CHORUS:
Once I had a German girl but she was fat and lazy.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe
But now I got an Irish girl, she damn near drives me crazy.
Way haul away, we'll haul away Joe. CHORUS:
Way haul away, rock and roll me over
Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.
Way haul away, well roll me in the clover
Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe. CHORUS:
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JOHNSON GIRLS
Them Johnson girls is mighty fine girls
Walk around, honey walk around (*slow up motion)
Them Johnson girls is mighty fine girls
Walk around, honey walk around (*slow down motiondown)
They’re neat in the waist and have mighty fine legs
Walk around, honey walk around
They’re neat in the waist and have mighty fine legs
Walk around, honey walk around
Great big legs and teeny eyency feet
Walk around, honey walk around
Great big legs and teeny eyency feet
Walk around, honey walk around
Beefsteak, beefsteak make a little gravy
Walk around, honey walk around
Beefsteak, beefsteak make a little gravy
Walk around, honey walk around
Your thing my thing make a little baby
Walk around, honey walk around
Your thing my thing make a little baby
Walk around, honey walk around
They got sompum under yonder called jewmaka jam
Walk around, honey walk around
They got sompum under yonder called jewmaka jam
Walk around, honey walk around
Hot as cayenne pepper but good, Goddam
Walk around, honey walk around
Hot as cayenne pepper but good, Goddam
Walk around, honey walk around
Them Johnson girls is mighty fine girls
Walk around, honey walk around
Them Johnson girls is mighty fine girls
Walk around, honey walk around
___________________________
The LAST SHANTY
Tom Lewis
Well me father often told me when I was just a lad
A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad
But now I've joined the navy, I'm aboard a man-o-war
And now I've found a sailor ain't a sailor any more
CHORUS: (Hand Motions to accompany the chorus)
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailing ship it might be your last
Just get your civies ready for another run ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
Well the killock of our mess he says we've had it soft
It wasn't like this in his day when he was up aloft
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, but what's a hammock for?
Swinging from the deckhead, or lying on the floor?
CHORUS
Well they gave us an engine that first went up and down
Then with more technology the engine went around
We know our steam and diesel but what's a mainyard for?
A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel anymore.
CHORUS
Well they gave us Aldiss lamp so we could do it right
They gave us a radio, we signaled day and night
We know our codes and cyphers but what's a semaphore?
A bunting-tosser doesn't toss the bunting anymore
CHORUS
Two cans of beer a day and that's your bleeding lot
Now we get an extra one because they've stopped the tot
So we'll put on our civvie clothes and find a pub ashore
A sailor's still a sailor just like he was before
CHORUS
___________________________
LEAVE HER JOHNNY
ED: Oh the times are hard and the wages low.
Leave her Johnny, Leave her
I think it’s time for us to go.
And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus - ALL: Leave her Johnny, Leave her
Oh, Leave her Johnny, leave her
For the voyage is done and the wind don’t blow
And it’s time for us to leave her
ED: Oh I thought I heard the old man say. Leave her Johnny, Leave her
Tomorrow ye will get your pay. And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus:
OISIN: I hate to sail this rotten tub. Leave her Johnny, Leave her
No grog allowed and rotten grub. And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus:
GOODY: The cooks a drunk, he likes to booze. Leave her Johnny, Leave her
Between him and the mate there’s little to choose.
And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus:
BRUCE: It’s rotten beef and weev’ly bread. Leave her Johnny, Leave her
It’s pump or drown the old man said. And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus:
ROYCE: The work was hard and the voyage long. Leave her Johnny, Leave her
The seas were high and the gales were strong.
And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus:
GARY: Our hands were sore and our backs were humped.
Leave her Johnny, Leave her
Half the seas went through our pump. And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus:
ED: Now I thought I heard the old man say. Leave her, Johnny, leave her
Just one more pull, and then belay. And it’s time for us to leave her
Chorus – 2X to fin:
___________________________
LEAVIN' OF LIVERPOOL
Oh the sun is setting on the harbor love
and I wish we could remain
For it will be some long, long time,
before I see you again
ALL:
So fare thee well, my own true love,
And when I return united we will be
It’s not the leavin’ of Liverpool that’s grievin’ me
But my darlin’ when I think of thee.
I have shipped aboard a Yankee (packet) clipper ship,
Davey Crockett is her name,
And Burgess is the captain of her,
They call her the scourge of the main.
Chorus
I have shipped with Burgess once before
And I think I know him well
If a man is a sailor he can get along,
And if not he is surely in hell.
Chorus
Oh the sun is setting in the harbor, love
And I wish I could remain,
For it will be some long, long time
Before I see you again.
Chorus: Twice
___________________________
The MERMAID
It was Friday morn when we set sail
And we were not far from the land.
When our captain, He spied a mermaid so fair,
With a comb and a glass in her hand
CHORUS:
And the ocean's waves they roar, and the stormy winds they blow
While the landlubbers lie down below, below, below
While the landlubbers lie down below.
Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship
And a fine spoken man, sayin’
This fishy mermaid has warned me of our doom
We shall sink to the bottom of the se
Chorus:
Then up spoke the First Mate of our gallant ship
And fine sailing man was he Sayin’
I’ve got a wife in White Springs town
And tonight boys, a widow she will be.
Chorus:
Then up spoke the cabin boy of our gallant ship
And dirty little brat was she, Sayin’
I’ve got friends in Two Egg town
And they don’t care a flying flip for me.
Chorus:
And up spoke the cook of our gallant ship
And a crazy old butcher was he
I care much more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea
Chorus:
Then three times around spun our gallant ship
And three times around spun she
The Curse Of The Mermaid Sunk our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea
Chorus: (TAG) While the landlubbers lie down below, below, below
While the landlubbers lie down below
___________________________
MICHAEL ROW THE BOAT ASHORE
Michael row the boat ashore -- Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore -- Hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah
Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah
CHORUS:
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
Jordan's river is deep and wide, Hallelujah
I've got a home on the other side, Hallelujah
CHORUS:
The trumpets sound the jubilee, Hallelujah
The trumpets sound for you and me, Hallelujah
CHORUS:
Michael’s boat is a music boat, Hallelujah
Michael’s boat is a music boat, Hallelujah
The river Jordan is chilly and cold, Hallelujah
Chills the body but not the soul, Hallelujah
CHORUS / 2X
___________________________
MINGULAY BOAT SONG
Devised 1938 Sir Hugh Roberton
SHANTYMAN:
Heel yer hull boys - Let her go boys,
Bring her head round Into the wea~ther.
Heel your hull boys - Let her go boys
Sailin’ homeward - To Mingalay.
What care we how white the minch is
What care we for the wind a’weather.
Bring her ‘round boys for every inch is,
Wearin’ homeward to Mingalay.
CHORUS: Heel yer hull boys Let her go boys,
Bring her head round Into the wea~ther.
Heel your hull boys Let her go boys
Sailin’ homeward To Mingalay.
LADY SHANTIES: Wives are waitin’ on the pierhead . . .
Lookin’ seaward fr~om the heather.
Bring her ‘round boys ~ then we’ll anchor
‘Er the sun sets on Mingalay.
Chorus
SHANTYMAN:
Far behind US, the hills of Quillin’,
Soon before us the hills of hea~ther.
And you know boys, the candles glow boys
~ In the windows of Mingalay.
Chorus
LADY SHANTIES: Ships return now, heavy laden…
Mothers holdin' bairns a-cryin'.
They'll return, though, when the sun sets
They’ll return to Mingulay.
Chorus 2x - ALL
SHANTYMAN - LAST LINE:
Sailin’ homeward ~ To Mingalay…
___________________________
PADDY DOYLE'S BOOTS
~ Short Drag, for "bunting" a sail when furling.
Sing through twice.
To me, way - ay - ay - yah!
We'll pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!
To me, way - ay - ay - yah!
We'll all drink brandy and GIN!
To me, way - ay - ay - yah!
We'll all shave under the CHIN!
To me, way - ay - ay - yah!
We'll all throw dirt at the COOK!
--
fin: To me, way - ay - ay - yah!
We'll pay Paddy Doyle for his BOOTS!
___________________________
ALABAMA
Sh: When the Ala-bama’s keel was laid
Ch: Roll Alabama roll
She was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Oh, roll Alabama roll
She was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Roll Alabama roll
It was in the town of Birkenhead
Oh, roll Alabama roll
Down the Mersey ways she sail-ed then
Roll Alabama roll
She was Liverpool fitted with guns and men
Oh, roll Alabama roll
To the Western isles she sail-ed forth
Roll Alabama roll
To destroy the commerce of the North
Oh, roll Alabama roll
To Cherbourg port she went one day
Roll Alabama roll
To take a share of prize money
Oh, roll Alabama roll
Oh, many a sailor met his doom
Roll Alabama roll
When the Kearsage she hove in view
Oh, roll Alabama roll
They shot from the forward pivot that day
Roll Alabama roll
Shot the Alabama’s keel away
Oh, roll Alabama roll
Off the three mile limit in ‘64
Roll Alabama roll
he Alabama sank to the ocean floor
ALL (Retard) Oh, roll Alabama roll ~
___________________________
ROLL THE OLD (AULD) CHARIOT ALONG
also known as: A Drop of Nelson’s Blood
SHANTYMAN: Sings first line, ALL SING on additional lines
CHORUS: We’re gonna roll the old chariot along,
We’ll roll the old chariot along,
We’ll roll the old chariot along,
And we’ll all hang on behind.
OISIN: A drop of Nelson’s blood…wouldn’t do us any harm
BRUCE: A foamy mug of Grog… wouldn’t do us any harm
ED: A pint of Guinness stout…wouldn’t do us any harm
GARY: Some company in me hammock…wouldn’t do me any harm
GOODY: An able bodied seaman…wouldn’t do me any harm
ROYCE: Singin’ at White Springs…wouldn’t do us any harm
ALL: We’re gonna roll the old chariot along,
We’ll roll the old chariot along,
We’ll roll the old chariot along …
(SLOW) And we’ll all - hang - on - behind.
Additional verses:
*A bowl of Irish stew…wouldn’t do us any harm…
*Oh, a bit of rum and baccy wouldn't do us any harm…
*We’d be alright if the wind was in our sails…
___________________________
ROLL THE WOODPILE DOWN
Way down south where the cocks do crow
Way down in Florida
The gals all play the old banjo
And we’ll roll the woodpile down
CHORUS: Rollin’ (rollin’) rollin’ (rollin’)
rollin’ the whole world round
That brown gal of mine down the Georgia line
And we’ll roll the woodpile down
When I was a young man in my prime
I’d clench them yellow girls two at a time
Chorus
Well roll ‘em high and we’ll roll ‘em low
We’ll heave ‘em up and away we’ll go
Chorus
It’s rouse or bust her is the cry
A black man’s wage is never high
Chorus
One more heave and that’ll do
For we’re the bullies to kick her through
Chorus
___________________________
ROLLING HOME (Suwannee)
LADIES: Call all hands to man the capstan, see the cable running clear
Heave away and with a will boys, to the Suwannee we will steer
CHORUS:
Rolling Home (rolling home), Rolling Home (rolling home)
Rolling Home across the sea,
Rolling home to Suwannee River, rolling home dear land to thee
LADIES: ‘Round cape Horn one frosty morning, with our sails all full of snow.
Clear your sheets and sway your halyards,
swing her out and let her go
Chorus
MEN: Up aloft among the rigging blows a wild and rushing gale
Like a monsoon in the springtime filling out each well-known sail
Chorus
LADIES: And the girl you love so dearly, she’ll be constant kind and true
When you press her to your bosom, all your fondest vows renew
Chorus
MEN: Liverpool’s lovely daughters, we have bid a fond adieu
And we’ll ne’er forget the hours, that we fondly spent with you
Chorus
ALL: Twice 5000 miles behind us, twice 5000 miles before
Now we’re passing Cedar Key Lighthouse,
leading for the Suwannee shore.
Final chorus - TWICE: (FIRST ONE SOFTLY)
___________________________
ROLLING DOWN TO OLD MAUI
Stan Rogers
It's a damn tough life full of toil and strife … we whalermen undergo.
And we don't give a damn when the gale is done … How hard the winds did blow.
For we're homeward bound from the Arctic ground …
With a good ship, taut and free
And we don't give a damn when we drink our rum …
With the girls of Old Maui.
CHORUS
Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys ...
Rolling down to Old Maui
We're homeward bound from the Arctic ground …
Rolling down to Old Maui.
Once more we sail with a favourable gale
Through the ice and wind and rain.
Them native maids, them tropical glades, we soon shall see again.
Six hellish months have passed away … on the cold Kamchatka Sea,
But now we're bound from the Arctic ground …
Rolling down to Old Maui.
Chorus
Once more we sail with a northerly gale, towards our island home.
Our mainmast sprung, our whaling done …
And we ain't go far to roam.
Our stuns'l bones is carried away, what care we for that sound?
A living gale is after us, Thank God we're homeward bound.
Chorus
How soft the breeze through the island trees … the ice is far astern.
Them native maids, them tropical glades, Is a-waiting our return.
Even now their big brown eyes look out, Hoping some fine day to see
Our baggy sails runnin' 'fore the gales, Rolling down to old Maui.
(Chorus) 2X
___________________________
SHOVE IT OVER
Railroad lining shanty collected by Zora Neal Hurston –
Lakeland Florida in the 1930’s
When I get in Illinois
I’m gonna spread the news about the Florida Boys
CHORUS: Shove it over, hey, hey, hey,
Oh catch a line there.
Ahh, shaka, laka, laka, laka, laka laka UMMPF!
Can’t ‘cha move it, hey, hey hey,
Oh can’t cha’ try.
Any mo whiskers and he won’t shave
Any mo body lice and he won’t bathe
Chorus
Oh the roosters chew tobacco, the hen’s dippin snuff
The biddy can’t do it but he struts his stuff
Chorus
Here come a woman walking down the field
Her mouth exhaustin’ like an automobile
Chorus
The captain got a pistol He try to be bad
But I’m gonna take it if he make me mad
Chorus
____________________________
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
In South Australia I was born,
Heave away, haul away
In South Australia round Cape Horn
We’re bound for South Australia
Chorus: Haul away you rolling kings
Heave away, haul away
Haul away, you’ll hear me sing
We’re bound for South Australia.
As I walked out one morning fair
Heave away, haul away
‘Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
We’re bound for South Australia
I shook her up and shook her down
Heave away, haul away
I shook her round and round the town
We’re bound for South Australia
There ain’t but one thing grieves me mind
Heave away, haul away
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
We’re bound for South Australia
As we went down around Cape Horn
Heave away, haul away
You’ll wish to God you’d never been born
We’re bound for South Australia
In South Australia I was born
Heave away, haul away
South Australia round Cape Horn
We’re bound for South Australia
CHORUS ~ fin.
___________________________
The WATER IS WIDE
The water is wide. I cannot cross o'er
And neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I
There is a ship and she sails the sea
She's loaded deep as deep can be
But not as deep as the love I'm in
I know not e’re I sink or swim
CHORUS: The water is wide. I can't cross o'er
And neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I
Oh, love is gentle and love is kind
The sweetest flower when first it's new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like morning dew
CHORUS
I leaned my back, against an oak
Thinking it was a trusty tree.
But first it bent, and then it broke,
Just as your love proved false to me.
CHORUS
fin. And both shall row, my – love – and – I.
___________________________
WE'LL RANT AND WE'LL ROAR ~ for Cortez
I’ve been a sea-cook and I’ve been a fisherman,
I can sing, I can dance, I can walk the jib boom.
I can handle a cast net and cut a fine figure,
Whenever I get in a boat’s standing room.
CHORUS: And we’ll rant and we’ll roar …
like true Cortez Fishermen,
We’ll rant and we’ll roar on deck and below,
Until we see bottom inside Longboat Channel,
And… straight up the inside to Cortez we’ll go.
I went to a dance one night in Palmetto,
There was plenty of girls there as fine as you’d wish.
There was one pretty maiden a-chewing tobacco,
Just like a young kitten a-chewing fresh fish.
CHORUS
Here’s health to the girls of old Cortez Village,
And health to the maidens of far-off St. Pete.
And that you be merry, and not melancholy.
Cause I can’t marry you'se all or in the pokey I’d be.
CHORUS to fin.