Sea shanties

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A sea shanty page

Sea shanties are working songs commonly sung aboard ships by sailors. They were especially common among navy men and pirates. The shanty consisted of two parts, the chant and the chorus. The chant would often be initiated by a single crewman who would sing the opening lines and establish the beat, and the chorus would then come as the rest of the crew would join in.

History

During the Golden Age of Piracy, Edward Kenway could request his crew to sing various shanties, the lyrics of which he often obtained from pages strewn across the Caribbean or knew personally through other means. This tradition continued in the years leading up to and during the Seven Years' War, when the Colonial Templar Shay Cormac also collected some shanties during his travels around the British Empire's colonies.

Known shanties

18th century

A Long Time AgoBilly RileyBloody Red RosesBlow The Man DownBold Riley OhBully in the AlleyBurn Blackbeard's BeardCaptain KiddCheerly ManDerby Ram

Chorus:

Twas a long time and a very long time.
A long time ago!

Old Noah of old, he commanded an Ark,
To me way hey hey, ya!
His cargo was animals out for a lark.
A long time ago!

They filled the Ark's seams with oakum and pitch.
Her sails were badly in need of a stitch.

Her bow was bluff and the counter was round.
Her knees were thin and her timbers unsound.

Her fo'c'sle was low and her starn was too high.
The hold for the animals never was dry.

Her pumps they were jammed and her fores'ls were torn.
The crew looked bedraggled and sad and forlorn.

He boarded the animals two of each kind.
Birds, snakes and jiggy-bugs, he didn't mind.

Old Noah he then drove the gang-plank in.

The song it can end and the voyage begin.

Old Billy Riley was a dancing master.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Old Billy Riley's master of a drogher.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Master of a drogher bound for Antigua.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Old Billy Riley has a nice young daughter.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Oh Missy Riley, little Missy Riley.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Had a pretty daughter, but we can't get at her.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Screw her up and away we go, boys.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

One more pull and then belay, boys.
Old Billy Riley, oh, Old Billy Riley!

Me bonnie bunch o'roses O!
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
It's time for us to roll 'n' go!
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks 'n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!

We're bound away around Cape Horn
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
We wisht ter hell you'd niver bin born
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!

Me boots an' clothes are all in a pawn,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
An' it's bleedin' draughty around Cape Horn,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks 'n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!

Ti's growl ye may but go ye must,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
If ye growl too hard yer head they'll bust.
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks 'n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!

Them Spanish gals are pullin' strong,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Hang down, me boys, it won't take long.
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks 'n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!

Just one more pull an' that'll do
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
We're the bullies for ter kick'er through.
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks 'n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!
Ooh! You pinks 'n' posies,
Come down, ye blood-red roses, come down!

I'll sing you a song of the fish in the sea.
Wey! Hey! Blow the man down!
And trust that you'll join in the chorus with me.
Oh give me some time to Blow the man Down!

There was an old skipper, I don't know his name.
I know that he played him this really smart game.

When he was becalmed in the tropical sea.
He whistled all day, but it stirred up no breeze.

A seal heard his whistle and loudly did call.
I'll send you some fish and some whalefish and all.

Well first came the herring, the King of the Sea.
He jumped on the poop and said Captain I'll be.

Then next came the shark with his two rows of teeth.
Cook, you mind the cabbage, and I'll mind the beef.

And last came the whale, he was biggest of all.
He climbed up aloft and he let each sail fall.

Well, our anchor's on board and our rags are all set,
Bold Riley-oh, boom-a-lay!
Them Liverpool Judies, we'll never forget,
Bold Riley-oh, gone away!

CHORUS:
Goodbye, me darling, goodbye, me dear-oh,
Bold Riley-oh, boom-a-lay!
Goodbye, me darling, goodbye, me dear-oh,
Bold Riley-oh, gone away!

Well, the rain it is raining all the day long,
Bold Riley-oh, boom-a-lay!
And the northerly wind, it does so strong.
Bold Riley-oh, gone away!

CHORUS

We're outward and bound for the Bengal Bay,
Bold Riley-oh, boom-a-lay!
Get bending, me lads, it's a hell of a way.
Bold Riley-oh, gone away!

CHORUS

(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 the girl that I love dearly,
Way, hey, bully in the alley.
Sally is the girl that I spliced dearly,
Bully down in shinbone al.

(Chorus)

For seven long years I courted little Sally,
Way, hey, bully in the alley.
But all she did was dilly and dally.
Bully down in shinbone al.

(Chorus)

I ever get back, I'll marry little Sally,
Way, hey, bully in the alley.
Have six kids and live in Shin-bone Alley.
Bully down in shinbone al.

(Chorus)

Blackbeard scared even pirates bold.
Burn, Blackbeard's Beard!
Took their ships and he took their gold.
Burn, Blackbeard's Beard!

Chorus
Burn, burn, oh, beard upturned, it's eared by those who are feard by most,
Disappeared and then returned, oh burn, Blackbeard's beard!

Beard on fire and a steely stare.
Sailing higher than a mortal dare.

Hey, King George, you can pardon this.
He don't care for your royal kiss.

O, my name was Captain Kidd,
as I sailed, as I sailed,
O, my name was Captain Kidd,
as I sailed.
My name was Captain Kidd
And God's laws I did forbid,
And so wickedly I did
as I sailed, as I sailed.
So wickedly I did
as I sailed.

I murdered William Moore,
as I sailed, as I sailed.
O, I murdered William Moore
as I sailed.
I laid him in his gore,
Not many leagues from the shore,
O, I murdered William Moore,
as I sailed, as I sailed.
I murdered William Moore
as I sailed.

I spied three ships from Spain
as I sailed, as I sailed,
O, I spied three ships from Spain
as I sailed.
I spied three ships from Spain,
and I fired on them a-main,
And most of them I slain,
as I sailed, as I sailed.
And most of them I slain
as I sailed.

Come all you young and old,
see me die, see me die.
Come all you young and old,
see me die.
You are welcome to my goal,
And by it I lost my soul
Come all you young and old,
I must die, I must die.
Come all you young and old,
I must die.

Oh, Nancy Dawson, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
She rubbed the Bo'sun, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
That was a caution, Hi-oh!

(Chorus)
Cheerly, man,
O! Haulee, Hi-oh,
Cheerly, man.

Oh, Sally Racket, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Pawned my best jacket, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
And sold pawn the ticket, Hi-oh!

(Chorus)

Oh, Kitty Carson, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Jitted the parson, Hi-oh! Cheerly, man!
Married a mason, Hi-oh!

(Chorus)

Oh, Betsy Baker, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Lived in Long Acre, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Married a Quaker, Hi-oh!

(Chorus)

Oh, Jenny Walker, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Married a hawker, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
That was a corker, Hi-oh!

(Chorus)

Oh, Polly Riddle, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Broke her new fiddle, Hi-oh!
Cheerly, man!
Right through the middle, Hi-oh!

(Chorus)

As I was going to Derby, 'twas on a market day,
I met the finest ram, sirs, that ever was fed upon hay.

(Chorus)
That's a lie, that's a lie
That's a lie, a lie, a lie!

This ram and I got drunk, sir, as drunk as drunk could be,
And when we sobered up, sir, we were far away out on the sea.

(Chorus)

This wonderful old ram, sir, was playful as a kid;
He swallowed the captain's spyglass along with the bo'sun's fid.

(Chorus)

One morning on the poop, sir, afore eight bells was struck.
He climbed up to the sky's I yard an' sat down on the truck.

(Chorus)

This wonderful ol' ram, sir, he tried a silly trick,
He tried to jump a five-barred fence and landed in a rick.

(Chorus)

This wonderful ol' ram, sir, it grew two horns of brass,
One grew out o' his shoulder blade, t'other turned into a mast.

(Chorus)

An' when this ram was killed, sir, the butcher was covered in blood.
Five and twenty butcher boys was carried away the flood.

(Chorus) An' when this ram was dead, sir, they buried it in St. Joan's,
It took ten men an' an elephant to carry one of its bones.

(Chorus)

Don't Forget Your Old ShipmatesDonkey RidingDrunken SailorFish in the SeaGood Morning Ladies AllHandy Me BoysHaul Away Boys Haul AwayHauley Hauley Ho

Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.

Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.

Chorus:
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!

Since we sailed from Plymouth Sound, four years gone, or nigh, Jack.
Was there ever chummies, now, such as you and I, Jack?

Chorus

We have worked the self-same gun, quarterdeck division.
Sponger I and loader you, through the whole commission.

Chorus

When the middle watch was on, and the time went slow, boy,
Who could choose a rousing stave, who like Jack or Joe, boy?

Chorus

There she swings, an empty hulk, not a soul below now.
Number seven starboard mess misses Jack and Joe now.

Chorus

But the best of friends must part, fair or foul the weather.
Hand yer flipper for a shake, now a drink together.

Chorus

Was you ever in Quebec
Launchin' timber on the deck?
Where ya break yer bleedin' neck
Ridin' on a donkey!

Way hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Way hey and away we go
Ridin' on a donkey.

Was you ever in Vallipo
Where the gals put on a show?
Wriggle and dance with a roll and go
Riding on a donkey.

Wuz ye ever down Mobile Bay
Screwin' cotton all the day?
A dollar a day is a white man's pay.
Ridin' on a donkey.

Was you ever in London-town
Where the girls eat do come down
See the King in his golden crown
Riding on a donkey

Was you ever 'round Cape Horn
Where the weather's never warm?
Wished to God you'd never been born
Ridin' on a donkey.

(Chorus)
Weigh-hay and up she rises
Weigh-hay and up she rises
Weigh-hay and up she rises
Early in the morning!

What will we do with a drunken sailor,
What will we do with a drunken sailor,
What will we do with a drunken sailor,
Early in the morning?

(Chorus)

Put 'em in the scuppers with a hose pipe on him,
Put 'em in the scuppers with a hose pipe on him,
Put 'em in the scuppers with a hose pipe on him,
Early in the morning!

(Chorus)

Put him in the brig until he's sober,
Put him in the brig until he's sober,
Put him in the brig until he's sober,
Early in the morning!

(Chorus)

Come all you young sailor men, listen to me,
I'll sing you a song of the fish in the sea;

(Chorus)
And it's...
Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys,
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys;
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow,
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes.

Up jumps the eel with his slippery tail,
Climbs up aloft and reefs the topsail.

(Chorus)

Then up jumps the shark with his nine rows of teeth,
Saying, "You eat the dough boys, and I'll eat the beef!"

(Chorus)

Up jumps the whale... the largest of all,
If you want any wind, well, I'll blow ye a squall!

(Chorus)

We are outward bound for Mobile town
With a heave-o, haul!
An' we'll heave the ol' wheel round an' round
Good mornin' ladies all!

An' when we get to Mobile town
With a heave-o, haul!
Oh, 'tis there we'll drink an' sorrow drown
Good mornin' ladies all!

Them gals down south are free an' gay
With a heave-o, haul!
Wid them we'll spend our hard-earned pay
Good mornin' ladies all!

We'll swing around, we'll have good fun
With a heave-o, haul!
An' soon we'll be back on the homeward run
Good mornin' ladies all!

An' when we get to Bristol town
With a heave-o, haul!
For the very last time we'll waltz around
Good mornin' ladies all!

With Poll and Meg an' Sally too
With a heave-o, haul!
We'll drink an' dance wid a hullabaloo
Good mornin' ladies all!

So a long goodbye to all you dears
With a heave-o, haul!
Don't cry for us, don't waste yer tears
Good mornin' ladies all!

Why can't ye be so handy-o!
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Oh, aloft this yard must go.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Ooh! Up aloft from down below.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Growl ye may, but go ye must.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Growl too much an yer head they'll bust.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Oh, a bully ship an' a bully crew.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Oh, we're the gang for the kick 'er through.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Yer advance has gone, yer at sea again.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Hey, bound round the horn through the hail an' rain.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Sing an' haul, an' haul an' sing.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Up aloft this yard we'll swing.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Up aloft that yard must go.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

For we are outward bound, ye know.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

A handy ship an' a handy crew.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

A handy Mate an Old Man too.
Handy, me boys, so handy!

Oh, Haul away for the windy weather, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Oh, Haul away and pull together boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

Haul away and let's get'er goin' boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Haul away for the merchants' money boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

Haul away like jolly young sailor boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Haul away and roll her over boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

God made the bees and the bees made the honey, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
God made the food but the devil sent the cook, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

We're rolling down to Cuba for to load up sugar, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
And rolling down to Cuba just to meet a Creole lady, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

And soon we'll be in red hot Cuba, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Oh haul away and the wind'll move'er, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

And soon we'll see a pretty woman, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Oh haul and shake her as she rolls, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away

Haul away for finer weather, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Ooh, haul away for the better weather, boys
Haul away, boys, haul away
Haul away, boys, haul away

England, ould Ireland
England, ould Ireland
England, ould Ireland
Hauley Hauley Ho!

Paddy M'Ginty
Paddy, Jock and Jackie too,
Oh Paddy M'Ginty,
Hauley Hauley Ho!

Shamrock an' Rose, boys,
Shamrock, Rose, and prickly Thistle too,
Shamrock an' Rose, boys,
Hauley Hauley Ho!

England, ould Ireland
England, ould Ireland
England, ould Ireland
Hauley Hauley Ho!

Haul on the BowlineHi-Ho Come Roll Me OverHome Across the SeaHomeward BoundJohnny BokerJolly Roving TarLeave Her, JohnnyLight Upon The River

Haul on the bowline, our bully ship's a-rollin'

Haul on the bowline, the bowline Haul!

Haul on the bowline, Kitty is my darlin'
Haul on the bowline, the bowline Haul!

Haul on the bowline, Kitty lives in Liverpool,
Haul on the bowline, the bowline Haul!

Haul on the bowline, the old man is a-growlin,

Haul on the bowline, the bowline Haul!

Why don't you blow
High-O! Come roll me over
Why don't you blow
High-O! Come roll me over

One man to strike the bell
High-O! Come roll me over
One man to strike the bell
High-O! Come roll me over

Two men to man the wheel
High-O! Come roll me over
Two men to man the wheel
High-O! Come roll me over

Three men, to gallant braces
High-O! Come roll me over
Three men, to gallant braces
High-O! Come roll me over

Four men to furl t'garns'ls
High-O! Come roll me over
Four men to furl t'garns'ls
High-O! Come roll me over

Five men to bunt-a-bo
High-O! Come roll me over
Five men to bunt-a-bo
High-O! Come roll me over

(Chorus)
We're rich when we're at home, boys, we're rich when we're at home.
That's where we want to be, boys, at home across the sea.

I'll take your silver, I'll take your gold,
But where would I ever want to grow old?
At home across the sea.

John's got a lady, Jack's got a wife,
There they are living a perfect life,
At home across the sea.

(Chorus)

The perfect booty, the perfect heist,
I would have all of it sacrificed for
a home across the sea.

When I am old, at the end of my life,
I'll barely remember my suffering and strife from
my home across the sea.

(Chorus)

Oh, don't yiz hear the old man say?
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Oh, don't yiz hear the old man say?
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

We're Homeward bound to Liverpool Town,
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Where all them judies, they will come down
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

An' when we gits to the Wallasey Gates
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Sally an' Olly for their flash men do wait
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

An' one to the other ye'll hear them say,
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Here comes Johnny with his fourteen mont's pay!
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

We meet these fly gals an' we'll ring the ol' bell,
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
With them judies, we'll raise merry hell
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

We're homeward bound to the gals o' the town.
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
And stamp up me bullies an' heave it around.
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

An' when we gits home, boys, oh, won't we fly round.
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
We'll heave up the anchor to this bully sound.
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

We're all homeward bound for the old backyard.
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Then heave, me bullies, we're all bound homeward.
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

Heave with a will, boys, oh, heave long an' strong.
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
Sing a good chorus for 'tis a good song.
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

We're homeward bound, we'll have yiz to know.
Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!
An' over the water to England must go!
Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
Come rock and roll me over.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
The skipper is a rover.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
The mate he's never sober.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
The Bo'sun is a tailor.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
We'll all go on a jamboree.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
The Packet is a Rollin'.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
We'll pull and haul together.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
We'll haul for better weather.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
And soon we'll be in London Town.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Oh! Do, my Johnny Boker,
Come rock and roll me over.
Do! My Johnny Boker, do!

Ships may come and ships may go
As long as the sea does roll.
But a sailor lad just like his dad,
He loves the flowing bowl.

Oh women on shore he does adore
A girl who's plump and round.
And your money's gone
It's the same old song,
Get up Jack! John, sit down!

Come along, come along, You jolly brave boys,
There's lots of grog in the jar.
We'll plough the briny ocean line
With the jolly roving tar.

When Jack ashore, he'll make his way
To some old boarding house.
He's welcomed in with rum and gin,
Likewise with pork scouse.

He'll spend and spend and never offend
Till he's lies drunk on the ground
When the money's gone
It's the same old song,
Get up Jack! John, sit down!

Then Jack then will slip aboard some ship bound for India or Japan,
Then in Asia there, the ladies fair,
they all love a sailor man,
He'll go ashore, and he'll not scorn to buy some girl a gown:
When his money's gone
It's the same old song,
Get up Jack! John, sit down!

When Jack is old and weather-beat, too old to cruise about,
They'll let him stop in some rum shop till eight bells calls him out,
Then he'll raise his hands high, and loud he'll cry:
Thank Christ! I'm homeward bound:
But his money's gone
It's the same old song,
Get up Jack! John, sit down!

I thought I heard the Old Man say:
Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
Tomorrow you will get your pay,
and it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus) Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her.

Oh, the wind was foul and the sea ran high.
Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
She shipped it green and none went by.
And it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

I hate to sail on this rotten tub.
Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
No grog allowed and rotten grub.
And it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

We swear by rote for want of more.
Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
But now we're through so we'll go on shore.
And it's time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)

With my love, my Celates, tonight,
In Singapura I hold her tight,
Then she sets these old husks a-light,
Through the strait then she gives me sight.

Chorus
From worlds apart, yet she knows my heart,
She's my Light upon the River!
I hope she waits and it's not too late
For my Light upon the River!

If you'd seen her you'd feel the same,
It's her beauty that brings her fame,
I was smitten I do proclaim
Long before I knew her name

When I saw her upon the sea,
And she looked the same way at me,
I was sure I would always be
With my love living peacefully.

Liverpool JudiesLowlands AwayMy Bonnie Highland LassieNew York GirlsOff to Sea Once MoreOne More DayPaddy Doyle's BootsPaddy Lay Back

From Liverpool to 'Frisco a-rovin' I went,

For to stay in that country was my good intent.
But drinkin' strong whiskey like other damn fools,
Oh, I soon got transported back to Liverpool, singin'.

Chorus:
Roll, roll, roll bullies, roll!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow.

A smart Yankee packet lies out in the Bay,
A-waitin' a fair wind to get under way.
With all of her sailors so sick and so sore,
They'd drunk all their whiskey and can't get no more.

Chorus

Oh, here comes the mate in a hell of a stew.
He's lookin' for work for us sailors to do.
Oh, it's "Fore tops'l halyards!" he loudly does roar,
And it's lay aloft Paddy, ye son-o'-a-whore!

Chorus

One night of Cape Horn I shall never forget,
'Tis oft-times I sighs when I think of it yet.
She was divin' bows under with her sailors all wet,
She was doin' twelve knots wid her mainskys'l set.

Chorus

And now we've arrived in the Bramleymoor Dock,
And all them flash judies on the pierhead do flock.
The barrel's run dry and our five quid advance,
And I guess it's high time for to git up and dance.

Chorus

Here's a health to the Captain wherever he may be,
A bucko on land and a bully at sea,
But as for the chief mate, the dirty ol' brute,
We hope when he dies straight to hell he'll skyhoot.

Chorus

I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
My love she came, dressed all in white
Lowlands away

I dreamed my love came in my sleep
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep
Lowlands away

She came to me at my bedside
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
All dressed in white, like some fair bride
Lowlands away

And bravely in her bosom fair
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
Her red, red rose, my love did wear
Lowlands away

She made no sound, no word she said
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
And then I knew my love was dead
Lowlands away

Then I awoke to hear the cry
Lowlands, lowlands away me John
Oh watch on deck
Oh watch, ahoy
Lowlands away

Oh were you ever in Roundstone Town?
Bonnie Lassie, Hieland Lassie
Were you ever in Roundstone Town?
My bonnie hieland lassie-o
I was often in Roundstone Town
Drinking milk and eating flour
Although I am a young maid
Come lately from my mammy-o

Were you ever in Bombay,
Bonnie Lassie, Hieland Lassie
Were you ever in Bombay,
My bonnie hieland lassie-o
I was often in old Bombay,
Drinking coffee and bohay
Although I am a young maid
Come lately from my mammy-o

Oh were you ever in Quebec?
Bonnie Lassie, Hieland Lassie
Were you ever in Quebec?
My bonnie hieland lassie-o
I was often in old Quebec
Stowing timber up on deck
Although I am a young maid
Come lately from my mammy-o

And are you fit to sweep the floor?
Bonnie Lassie, Hieland Lassie
Are you fit to sweep the floor?
My bonnie hieland lassie-o
I am fit to sweep the floor
As the lock is for the door
Although I am a young maid
Come lately from my mammy-o

As I walked down the Broadway
One evenin' in July
I met a maid who asked me trade
And a sailor John says I.


To Tiffany's I took her
I did not mind expense
I bought her two gold earrings
And they cost me 50 cents


(Chorus)
And away, you Santee
My dear Annie
O, you New York Girls
Can't you dance the Polka?


Says she, "You limejuice sailor
Now see me home you may"
But when we reached her cottage door
She this to me did say.


"My flash man he's a Yankee
With his hair cut short behind
He wears a pair of long sea-boots
And he sails in the Blackball Line

(Chorus)

He's homeward bound this evenin'
And with me he will stay
So get a move on, sailor-boy
Get crackin' on your way
"

So I kissed her hard and proper
Afore her flash man came
And fare ye well, me Bowery gal
I know your little game


(Chorus)

I wrapped me glad rags around me
And to the docks did steer
I'll never court another maid
I'll stick to rum and beer


I joined a Yankee blood-boat
And sailed away next morn
Don't ever fool around with gals
You're safer off Cape Horn


(Chorus)

When first I landed in Liverpool I went upon the spree
Me hard earned cash, well I spent it fast
Got drunk as drunk could be
And when me money it was all gone 'twas then I wanted more
But a man must be blind to make up his mind and to go to sea once more

Once more, boys, once more, go to sea once more
But a man must be blind to make up his mind and to go to sea once more

I spent the night with Angeline too drunk to roll in bed
Me cloths was new and me money too, in the morning with them she fled
And as I rolled the streets about, the tarts they all did roar
And there goes Jack Strapp, the poor sailorlad, he must go to sea once more

Once more, boys, once more, go to sea once more
And there goes Jack Strapp, the poor sailorlad, he must go to sea once more

And as I walked the streets about, I met old Rapper Brown
I asked him then to take me in they looked at me with a frown
Says he last time you was paid off with me you chuck no score
But I'll take your advance and I'll give you a chance and I'll go to see once more

Once more, boys, once more, go to sea once more
'caused I'll take your advance and I'll give you a chance and I'll go to see once more

Come all you bold sailor lads, and listen to me song
When you come off them damn long trips, I'll tell you what goes wrong
Take my advice, drink no strong drink, don't go sleeping with whores
Get married instead, spend all night in bed and go to sea no more

No more, boys, no more, go to sea no more
Get married instead, spend all night in bed and go to sea no more

No more, boys, no more, go to sea no more
Get married instead, spend all night in bed and go to sea no more

Oh, have you heard the news, me Johnny
One more day
We're homeward bound tomorrow Johnny
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day

Don't you hear the old man growlin' Johnny
One more day
Don't you hear the mate a howlin' Johnny
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day

Don't you hear the caps'n pawlin' Johnny
One more day
Don't you hear the pilot bawlin' Johnny
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day

Only one more day a-howlin' Johnny
One more day
Can't you hear the gals a-callin'
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day

Only one more day a-rollin' Johnny
One more day
Only one more day a-cursin'
Sing it!
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day

No more gales or heavy weather Johnny
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day

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 muck at the cook!


To me, Way-ay-ay Yah!
The dirty ol' man's on the poop!
To me, Way-ay-ay Yah!
We'll bouse her up and be done!


To me, Way-ay-ay Yah!
We'll pay Paddy Doyle for his boots!

It was cold and dreary morning in December (December)
And all of me money it was spent (spent, spent)
And where it went to, I can't remember (remember)
So down to the shipping office I went (off I went)

CHORUS:
Paddy lay back, (Paddy lay back)
Take in your slack (take in your slack)
Take a turn around your capstan heave a pawl.
About ship's stations, boys, boys be handy (Handy!)
We're bound for Valparaiso 'round the horn

Well it seems there was a great demand for sailors (for sailors)
For the colonies, and for Frisco and for France (France, France)
Well, I shipped aboard the limey barque the Hotspur (the Hotspur)
And got legless drunk on my advance (my ad-vance)

CHORUS

Well, I joined her on a cold December morning (morning)
A-flapping of me flippers to keep me warm (keep me warm)
With the south cone hoisted as a warning (a warning)
To stand by the coming of a storm

CHORUS

Well, I woke up in the morning stiff and sore boys (sore boys)
And I knew that I was outward bound again (bound again)
And a voice come a-bawling at the door (door)
Lay aft men, and answer to your name (to your name)

CHORUS

It was on the quarter deck when first I seen 'em (seen 'em)
Such an ugly bunch I never seen before (seen before)
There was a bum and stiff from every quarter (quarter)
And it made my poor old heart feel sick and sore (sore, sore)

CHORUS

Padstow's FarewellPay Me the Money DownRandy Dandy-OReuben RenzoRoll and GoRoll, Boys, Roll!Roller BowlerRolling Down to MauiRound the Corner Sally

It's time to go now,

Haul away your anchor,
Haul away your anchor,
It's our sailing time.

Get some sail upon her,
Haul away your halyards,
Haul away your halyards.
It's our sailing time.

Get her on her course now,
Haul away your foresheets,
Haul away your foresheets,
It's our sailing time.

Waves are surging under,
Haul away down Channel,
Haul away down Channel,
On the evening tide.

When your sailing's over,
Haul away for Heaven,
Haul away for Heaven,
God be by your side.

It is time to go now,
Haul away your anchor,
Haul away your anchor,

It's our sailing time.

Your money, young man, is no object to me
Pay Me the Money Down
Oh money down and money down
Pay me the money down

I went for a cruise around the town
Pay me the money down
I there met a gal called Sally Brown
Pay me the money down

Oh I put me arm around her waist,
Pay me the money down
She says, "Young man, you're in great haste."
Pay me the money down

My price of love is half a crown
Pay me the money down
An' money down, 'tis real money down.
Pay me the money down

Oh, the Yankee dollar some gits for their pay,
Pay me the money down
Will buy us rum for many a day,
Pay me the money down

Oh, if I had silver dollars galore,
Pay me the money down
I'd pack me bags and stay on shore
Pay me the money down

I wisht I had ten thousand pound,
Pay me the money down
I'd sail this old world, around an' around.
Pay me the money down

I wisht I wuz Ol' Stormy's son,
Pay me the money down
I'd build a ship o' a thousan' ton.
Pay me the money down

We'd stay at the ports where we wuz in,
Pay me the money down
Oh drinking' beer an' whiskey an' gin.
Pay me the money down

When the ship it ties up an' the voyage is through,
Pay me the money down
Oh I wants me pay, sir, every sou.
Pay me the money down

Now we are ready to sail for the Horn,
Weigh hey, roll and go!
Our boots and our clothes, boys, are all in the pawn,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!

(Chorus)
Heave a pawl, O heave away!
Weigh hey, roll and go!
The anchor's on board and the cable's all stored,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!


Soon we'll be warping her out through the locks,
Weigh hey, roll and go!
Where the pretty young girls all come down in their frocks,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!

(Chorus)

Come breast the bars, bullies, heave her away,
Weigh hey, roll and go!
Soon we'll be rolling her down through the Bay,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!

(Chorus)

O, Renzo was no sailor,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
He was a stitchin' tailor,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!

He was pressed on board a whaler,
Where he was a hopeless failure.

The captain gave him thirty,
His daughter begged for mercy.

She took him to her cabin,
Which got the crew a-jabbrin'.

She gave him cake and water,
And a bit more than she ought to.

She gave him rum and whiskey,
Which got him spry and frisky.

She taught him navigation,
That cursed occupation.

Now Renzo is a captain,
But he cannot find the capstan.

He's known wherever whalefish blow,
As the worst damned skipper on the go.

There was a ship, she sailed to Spain
O ho, roll and go!
There was a ship came home again.
Tommy's on the topsail yard!

And what do you think was in her hold?
O ho, roll and go!
There was diamonds, there was gold.
Tommy's on the topsail yard!

And what was in her lazarette?
O ho, roll and go!
Good split peas and bad bull meat.
Tommy's on the topsail yard!

O, many a sailorman gets drowned,
O ho, roll and go!
Many a sailorman gets drowned.
Tommy's on the topsail yard!

Oh! Sally Brown, she's the gal for me boys
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
Oh! Sally Brown she's the gal for me, boys
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

We're bound away, 'way down south, boys,
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
We're bound away, 'way down south, boys,
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

It's down to Trinidad to see Sally Brown boys,
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
Down to Trinidad to see Sally Brown boys,
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

She's lovely on the foreyard, an' she's lovely down below boys,
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
She's lovely 'cause she loves me, that's all I want to know boys,
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

Ol' Captain Baker, how do you store yer cargo?
Roll Boys! Roll boys roll!
Some I stow for'ard, boys, an' some I stow a'ter
Way high, Miss Sally Brown

Forty fathoms or more below boys,
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
There's forty fathoms or more below boys,
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

Oh, way high ya, an' up she rises,
Roll Boys! Roll boys roll!
Way high ya, and the blocks is different sizes,
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

Oh, one more pull, don't ya hear the mate a-bawlin?
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
Oh, one more pull, that's the end of all the hawlin'
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

Sally Brown she's the gal for me boys,
Roll, boys! Roll boys roll!
Sally Brown she's the gal for me, boys,
Way high, Miss Sally Brown!

As I rolled out one mornin'
Away, you roller bowler!
As I rolled out one mornin'
I met a lady fair

(Chorus)
Timme, hey-rig-a-jig an' a ha-ha
Good mornin', ladies all
Away, you roller bowler!
Timme, hey-rig-a-jig an' a ha-ha
Good mornin', ladies all

The first time that I saw her
Away, you roller bowler!
The first time that I saw her,
that saucy gal of mine:

(Chorus)

But when she found that I was skint
Away, you roller bowler!
But when she found that I was skint
She left me standing there

(Chorus)

I squared me yards an' sailed away
Away, you roller bowler!
I squared me yards an' sailed away
An' to the ship I went

(Chorus)

She winked & flipped a flipper
Away, you roller bowler!
She winked & flipped a flipper
She thought I was a mate

(Chorus)

It's a damn tough life full of toil and strife
We whalermen undergo.
And we don't give a damn when the gale has stopped
How hard the winds did blow.
Where homeward bound tiss a grand old sound
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 home to Old Maui.

Once more we sail with a northerly gale
Through the ice and wind and rain,
And coconut fronds, them tropical lands
We soon shall see again.
Six hellish months we've passed away
On the cold Kamchatka Sea,
And now we're bound from the Arctic ground
Rolling down to Old Maui.

Chorus

And now we sail with a favouring gale
Towards our island home.
Our mainmast sprung, our whaling done,
And we ain't got far to roam.
Our stu'n's'l bones is carried away
What care we for that sound?
A living gale is after us,
Thank God were homeward bound.

Chorus

Round the cor-ner an' away we'll go!
Round the corner, Sally!
Round th' corner where them gals do go,
Round the corner, Sally!

Oh, Sally Brown she's the gal for me,
Round the corner, Sally!
She's waitin' there by the mango tree,
Round the corner, Sally!

She loves me good, she loves me long,
Round the corner, Sally!
She loves me hot, and she loves me strong
Round the corner, Sally!

Was ye ever down in Kingston town?
Round the corner, Sally!
Where the gals all spend our money around?
Round the corner, Sally!

I wisht I had that gal in tow,
Round the corner, Sally!
I'd take her in tow to Callyo.
Round the corner, Sally!

To Callyo we're bound to go,
Round the corner, Sally!
Around that corner where there's ice an' snow
Round the corner, Sally!

So round 'er up an' stretch 'er luff,
Round the corner, Sally!
I think by Gawd we've hauled enough!
Round the corner, Sally!

Running Down to CubaShallow BrownSkull and BonesSo Early in the MorningSpanish LadiesStormalong JohnThe Coasts of High BarbaryThe Dead Horse

Running down to Cuba with a load of sugar,

Weigh, me boys, to Cuba!
Make her run you, lime juice squeezes,
Running down to Cuba.

(Chorus)
Weigh, me boys, to Cuba!
Running down to Cuba.

O, I got a sister, she's nine feet tall,
Weigh, me boys, to Cuba!
Sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall,
Running down to Cuba.

(Chorus)

The captain he will trim the sails,
Weigh, me boys, to Cuba!
Winging the water over the rails,
Running down to Cuba.

(Chorus)

Give me a gal can dance Fandango,
Weigh, me boys, to Cuba!
Round as a melon and sweet as a mango,
Running down to Cuba.

(Chorus)

Load this sugar and home-ward go,
Weigh, me boys, to Cuba!
Mister mate, he told me so,
Running down to Cuba.

(Chorus)

Bound away to leave you Shallow oh shallow brown
Bound away to leave you
Shallow oh shallow brown

Shipped on board a whaler
Shallow oh shallow brown
Shipped on board a whaler
Shallow oh shallow brown

Love you Juliana
Shallow oh shallow brown
Love you Juliana
Shallow oh shallow brown

Packet lives tomorrow
Shallow oh shallow brown
I leave you with great sorrow
Shallow oh shallow brown

Across the distant mountains
Shallow oh shallow brown
find them crystal fountains
Shallow oh shallow brown

Shallow in the morning
Shallow oh shallow brown
Just as the day is dawning
Shallow oh shallow brown

Bound away to leave you
Shallow oh shallow brown
Bound away to leave you
Shallow oh shallow brown

Yo ho, yo ho
The seas forever roll
Yo ho, yo ho
'Til I'm not but skull and bones
Yo ho, yo ho

From outcast to kingpin
Was born up on the sea
Ne'er was meant to walk the land
A pirate's life for me
Avast ye whining, up the sails
Don't speak to mutiny
Or find yourself a'wantin' quarter
Bottom of the sea

Among the shoals of Saint Anne
To the eastern shores
I'll take my chances on the wind
To loot and plunder scores
Our flag it stands for us alone
And no one else around
We owe our honour to the sea
And not to any crown

(Chorus)
Yo ho, yo ho
The seas forever roll
Yo ho, yo ho
The winds forever blow
Long after I've met Davy Jones
'Til I'm naught but skull and bones
Yo ho

So, me bullies, bottoms up
Raise the sails and drink with me
Here's to us!
Live long and long live piracy
Bring her round into the white
If treasures to be found
A pirate's life or nothing else
'Til the ship she's goin' down

(Chorus)

Yo ho, yo ho
The seas forever roll (skull and bones)
Yo ho, yo ho
The winds forever blow (skull and bones)
Long after I've met Davy Jones
'Til I'm naught but skull and bones (skull and bones)
(x2)

The mate was drunk and he went below to take a swig at his bottle-O,


(Chorus)
So early in the morning the sailor likes his bottle O,
The bottle-O, the bottle-O, the sailor loves his bottle-O!

A bottle o' rum, a bottle o' gin, a bottle o' irish whiskey-O,
(Chorus)

The baccy-O, tabaccy-O, the sailor loves his baccy-O,
(Chorus)

A packet o' shag, a packet o' cut, a plug of hard terbaccy-O,
(Chorus)

The lassies-O, the maidens-O, the sailor loves the judies-O,
(Chorus)

A lass from the 'Pool, a girl from the Tyne, a chowlah so fine an' dandy-O,
(Chorus)

A bully rough-house, a bully rough-house, the sailor likes his rough-house-O,
(Chorus)

A tread on me coat, and all-hands-in, a bully good rough an' tumble-O,
(Chorus)

A sing-song-O, a sing-song-O, the sailor likes a sing-song-O,
(Chorus)

A drinkin' song, a song o' love, a ditty o' seas and shipmates-O!
(Chorus)

Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish ladies,
Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain,
For we've received orders for to sail for old England,
And we may never see you fair ladies again.

(Chorus)
We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,
We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt seas.
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England,
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues.

We hove our ship to, with the wind at sou'west, boys
We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take.
'Twas forty-five fathoms with a white sandy bottom,
So we squared our main yard and up channel did steer.

(Chorus)

Now let every man drink off his full bumper,
And let every man drink off his full glass,
We'll drink and be jolly and drown melancholy,
And here's to the health of each true-hearted lass!

(Chorus)

Oh, poor old Stormy's dead and gone
Storm along boys! Storm along John!
Oh, poor old Stormy's dead and gone
Ah-ha, come along get along
Stormy along John!

I dug his grave with a silver spade
Storm along boys! Storm along John!
I dug his grave with a silver spade
Ah-ha, come along get along
Stormy along John!

I lower'd him down with a golden chain
Storm along boys! Storm along John!
I lower'd him down with a golden chain
Ah-ha, come along get along
Stormy along John!

I carried him away to Montego Bay
Storm along boys! Storm along John!
I carried him away to Montego Bay
Ah-ha, come along get along
Stormy along John!

Look ahead, look-astern
Look the weather in the lee!
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
I see a wreck to windward,
And a lofty ship to lee!
A-sailing down along
The coast of High Barbary

"O, are you a pirate
Or a man o' war? cried we.
" Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
"O no! I'm not a pirate
But a man-o-war, cried he.
" A-sailing down along
The coast of High Barbary.

We'll back up our topsails
And heave vessel to.
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
For we have got some letters
To be carried home by you.
A-sailing down along
The coast of High Barbary

For broadside, for broadside
They fought all on the main;
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
Until at last the frigate
Shot the pirate's mast away.
A sailing down along
The coast of High Barbary

With cutlass and gun,
O we fought for hours three;
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
The ship it was their coffin
And their grave it was the sea
A-sailing down along
The coast of High Barbary

A poor old man
Came riding by.
And we say so,
And we know so.
O, a poor old man
Came riding by,
O, poor old man.

Says I, "Old man,
Your horse will die."
And we say so,
And we know so.
And if he dies
we'll tan his hide.
O, poor old man.

And if he don't,
I'll ride him again.
And we say so,
And we know so.
And I'll ride him
'Til the Lord knows when,
O, poor old man.

He's dead as a nail
In the lamp room door,
And we say so,
And we know so.
And he won't come
Worrying us no more
O, poor old man.

We'll use the hair of his tail
To sew our sails
And we say so,
And we know so.
And the iron of his shoes
To make deck nails,
O, poor old man.

Drop him down
With a long long rope
And we say so,
And we hope so.
Where the sharks have his body
And the devil takes his soul!
O, poor old man.

The Last Voyage of Stede BonnetThe Maid of AmsterdamThe Rio GrandeThe Sailboat MalarkeyThe Wild GooseThe WellermanThe Worst Old Ship

Bonnet wasn't fueled by greed. A Gentleman Pirate was Captain Stede.
Wo oo oh Stede Bonnet!
His gentle breed he did forsake, To sail the seas a pirate rake.
Hey and a ho and a Hey, Stede Bonnet!

Adventure called him on his way, to Blackbeard's side and far away
Wo oo oh Stede Bonnet!
Bonnet sailed for glory'o, to be of worthy story'o
Hey and a ho and a Hey, Stede Bonnet!

Pardon once he turned around, to fight once more the mighty crown
Wo oo oh Stede Bonnet!
His ship Revenge was feared by all, the flag death's head was flying tall
Hey and a ho and a Hey, Stede Bonnet!

A fearsome dagger in his hand, Bonnet did the cease command
Wo oo oh Stede Bonnet!
Stede was captured at Cape Fear. His dying day was drawing near.
Hey and a ho and a Hey, Stede Bonnet!
Hey and a ho and a Hey, Stede Bonnet!

In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
Mark well what I do say!
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
And she was mistress of her trade.
I'll go no more a-roving with you fair maid!

(Chorus)
A roving, a roving,
Since roving's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a roving,
With you fair maid!

I asked this maid to take a walk,
Mark well what I do say!
I asked this maid out for a walk,
That we might have some private talk.
I'll go no more a roving with you fair maid!

(Chorus)

Then a great big Dutchman rammed my bow,
Mark well what I do say!
For a great big Dutchman rammed my bow,
And said "Young man, dees ees meine frau!"
I'll go no more a roving with you fair maid!

(Chorus)

Then take fair warning boys from me,
Mark well what I do say!
So take fair warning boys from me
With other men's wives, don't make too free
I'll go no more a roving with you fair maid!

(Chorus)

O say was you ever in Rio Grande?
A-weigh, you Rio!
It's there that the river brings down golden sand,
For we're bound for the Rio Grande

(Chorus)
And away, boys, away.
A-weigh, you Rio!
It's fare-you-well my bonny young girls
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

It's fare well to you all the girls of the town.
A-weigh, you Rio!
You got our half-pay for to keep you around,
And we're bound for the Rio Grande!

(Chorus)

She's a deep water ship and a deep water crew.
A-weigh, you Rio!
You can keep to the coast but we're damned if we do,
And we're bound for the Rio Grande!

(Chorus)

We was sick of the beach when our money was gone.
A-weigh, you Rio!
And sign in this packet to drive her along,
And we're bound for the Rio Grande!

(Chorus)

Please tell me, what is this sailboat's name?
The sailboat Malarkey.

Tell me now what is this good boat's name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey.

Well now, me boys, we are bound out to sea!
In the sailboat Malarkey.

O when will Caroline come down to me?
In the sailboat Malarkey.

She's lovely aloft and she's lovely below.
Is the sailboat Malarkey.

But she's best on her back as you very well know!
That sailboat Malarkey.

Away, away in St George's Town,
In the sailboat Malarkey.

The rats come batting the houses down,
Of the sailboat Malarkey.

I'd give the world boys and all that I know
In the sailboat Malarkey.

To turn and to roll with my Lucy-oh!
In the sailboat Malarkey.

You pick her up, boys, and lay her down,
In the sailboat Malarkey.

And hang on tight as she bounces around!
In the sailboat Malarkey.

Did you ever see a wild goose
Sailing o'er the ocean?

Ranzo, Ranzo, weigh heigh!

They're just like them pretty girls,
When they gets the notion.

Ranzo, Ranzo, weigh heigh!

The other morning
I was walking by the river.

Ranzo, Ranzo, weigh heigh!

When I saw a young girl walking
With her topsails all a-quiver.

Ranzo, Ranzo, weigh heigh!

I said, "Pretty fair maid
And how are you this morning?"

Ranzo, Ranzo, weigh heigh!

She said none the better
for the seeing of you

Ranzo, Ranzo, weigh heigh!

There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy O' Tea
The winds came up, and her bow dipped down
So blow, my bully boys, blow (Huh)

Chorus
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

She had not been two weeks from shore
When down on her, a right whale bore
The captain cried all hands and swore
He'd take that whale in tow (Huh)

Chorus

Before the boat had hit the water
The whale's tail came up and caught her
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
When she dived down below (Huh)

Chorus

No line was cut, no whale was freed
But the Captain's mind was not of greed
He belonged to the whaleman's creed
And she took that ship in tow (Huh!)

Chorus

For forty days, and forty more
The line grew slack, then taught once more
All boats were lost, there were only four
But still that whale did go (Huh)

Chorus

Well I have heard that the fight's still on
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone
The Wellerman makes his regular call
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all (Huh)

Chorus

Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguin' is done
We'll take our leave and go

The worst old ship that ever did sail,
Sailed out of Harwich on a windy day.

(Chorus)
And we're waiting for the day,
Waiting for the day,
Waiting for the day
That we get our pay.

She was built in Roman time,
Held together with bits of twine


(Chorus)

Nothing in the galley—nothing in the hold,
But the skipper's turned in with a bag of gold.

(Chorus)

Off Orford Ness she sprang a leak,
Hear her poor old timbers creak.

(Chorus)


We pumped our way round Scalby Ness,
When the wind backed round to the west-nor'-west.

(Chorus)


Into the Humber and up the town,
Pump you blighters—pump or drown.

(Chorus) x2

Where am I to Go M'JohnniesWhiskey JohnnyWindy Old Weather'Way Me Susiana

Oh, where am I to go, M'Johnnies, oh where am I to go?

Timme way hey hey, high roll and go.
Oh, where am I to go, M'Johnnies, oh where am I to go,
For I'm a young sailor boy, and where am I to go?

Way up on that t'gallant yard, that's where you're bound to go.
Timme way hey hey, high roll and go.
Oh, way up on that t'gallant yard, that's where you're bound to go.
For I'm a young sailor boy, and where am I to go?

Way up on that t'gallant yard and take the gans'l in.
Timme way hey hey, high roll and go.
Oh, way up on that t'gallant yard and take the gans'l in.
For I'm a young sailor boy, and where am I to go?

You're bound away to Kingston town, that's where you're bound to go.
Timme way hey hey, high roll and go.
You're bound away to Kingston town, that's where you're bound to go.

For I'm a young sailor boy, and where am I to go?

Whiskey is the life of man,
Whiskey, Johnny!
O, whiskey is the life of man,
Whiskey for my Johnny O!

O, I drink whiskey when I can
Whiskey, Johnny!
Whiskey from an old tin can,
Whiskey for my Johnny O!

Whiskey gave me a broken nose!
Whiskey, Johnny!
Whiskey made me pawn my clothes,
Whiskey for my Johnny O!

Whiskey drove me around Cape Horn,
Whiskey, Johnny!
It was many a month when I was gone,
Whiskey for my Johnny O!

I thought I heard the old man say:
Whiskey, Johnny!
I'll treat my crew in a decent way,
Whiskey for my Johnny O!

A glass of grog for every man!
Whiskey, Johnny!
And a bottle for the Chantey Man.
Whiskey for my Johnny O!

As we were a-fishing off Happisburgh light
Shooting and hauling and trawling all night

(Chorus)
In the windy old weather, stormy old weather
When the wind blows we all pull together

When up jumped a herring, the Queen of the sea
Says "Now, old skipper, you cannot catch me"

(Chorus)

We sighted a Thresher-a-slashin' his tail
Time now Old Skipper to hoist up your sail

(Chorus)

And up jumps a Slipsole as strong as a horse
Says now, "Old Skipper, you're miles off course"

(Chorus)

Then along comes a plaice, who's got spots on his side
Says "Not much longer, these seas you can ride"

(Chorus)

Then up rears a conger, as long as a mile
Wind's coming east'ly he says with a smile

(Chorus)

I think what that these fishes are sayin' is right
We'll haul up our gear now an' steer for the light

(Chorus)

We'll heave him up an away we'll go
'Way, me Susiana!
We'll heave him up an away we'll go
We're all bound over the mounten!

We'll heave him up from down below
'Way, me Susiana!
This is where the cocks do crow.
We're all bound over the mounten!

And if we drown while we are young,
'Way, me Susiana!
It's better to drown than to wait to be hung
We're all bound over the mounten!

Oh, growl ye may but go ye must,
'Way, me Susiana!
If ye growl too hard yer head they'll bust
We're all bound over the mounten!

Up sox, you cocks, hand her two blocks,
'Way, me Susiana!
An' go below to yer ol' ditty box
We're all bound over the mounten!

Oh, rock an shake 'er, one more drag
'Way, me Susiana!
Oh, bend yer duds an' pack yer bag
We're all bound over the mounten!

Behind the scenes

Sea shanties are thought to have developed from naval work songs sung by the British and French navies. The first written reference to such songs emerged in the mid-16th century. However, the use of the term "sea shanties" in the video games Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) and Assassin's Creed: Rogue (2014) is anachronistic. The term "sea shanty" as a naval work song did not develop until the early 19th century, where they were used aboard American merchant vessels. The likely etymologies of the word is the French chanter (to sing) or its English cognate chant.

Remixed and shortened versions of some sea shanties can be heard in Assassin's Creed: Pirates.

In Episode 47 of Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple, Edward Kenway sings part of a sea shanty which is actually an original song, "Skull and Bones", created for the 2024 video game of the same name, also developed by Ubisoft.

Gallery

• 
  Edward Kenway chasing a shanty page

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed: Pirates
• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
• Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple
• Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced
• Animus Hub (mentioned in Database entry only)