ROLL THE COTTON DOWN - Track 1
Oh, away down south where I was born
Oh! Roll the cotton down
Oh, away down south around Cape Horn
Oh! Roll the cotton down
Roll the cotton. Roll the cotton Moses!
Roll the cotton. We'll roll the cotton down!
Away down south around Cape Horn
You'd wish to God you' never been born
Oh, was you ever in Mobile Bay
Where they load cotton all the day
Oh, a dollar a day is hoosier's pay
So bring yer screws and hooks this way
We'll floor her off from fore to aft
Five thousand bales for this 'ere craft
Oh, in Alabama where I was born
Oh, a-screwin' cotton of a summer's morn
Oh, we're bound away to Mobile Bay
Oh, we're bound away at the break of day
Oh, Frisco town is far behind
And the girls down south are free and kind
Oh, around Cape Horn we're bound to go
Oh, around Cape Stiff in the ice and snow
Oh, I wish I had a tot of rum
Oh, I'll sing you a song if you give me some
When work is done at the end of day
Oh, it's then you'll hear the banjo play
Oh, Mobile Bay's no place for me
So I'll pack my bags and go to sea
WE’RE ALL SURROUNDED - Track 2
Martha wept and Mary cried
We're all surrounded!
That good old man has gone and died
We're all surrounded!
Carry the news. Carry the news to Mary
Carry the news that we're all surrounded
Shake off your slumbers and arise
The sun is shining in the skies
The good old man we'll see no more
He has gone to the happy shore
He's gone and left us all alone
And Gabriel's trumpet called him home
Adam and Eve climbed up a tree
Their lamb and master for to see
Eve stole an apple from a tree
And Adam was stung by a bumblebee
THE WARD LINE - Track 3
Cap'n's in the pilothouse ringin' the bell
Who's on the way, boys, who's on the way?
And the mate's down a-tween decks givin' the boys hell, tell me
Where you goin'?
I'd rather be dead and lyin' in the sand
Than make another trip on the Old Black Sam, tell me
Her smokestack's black and her whistle's brown
An' I wish to the Lord I'd a-stayed in town, tell me
Get along there, Mose, your feet ain't stuck
Just hump your back and-a push that truck, tell me
It takes tons o' copper for to fill that hold
Step along there, Buddy, God damn your soul!, tell me
Roll 'em up that long gangplank
It'll make you thin and lean and lank, tell me
City folks they's all gone to bed
But we push copper until we's decd, tell me
The Cap'n, he gives up a tub of suds
It'll burn your belly and rot your guts!, tell me
Now jus' one drink from the Cap'n's tin
It'll make your feel like committin' sin, tell me
Lake Superior is big and rough
And for this old trucker one trip's enough, tell me
Now I'm a-goin' back to ol' Detroit
And no more workin' both day and night, tell me
Now I'm a-goin' down to Baltimore
And I ain't a-gonna work at all – no more!, tell me
NEVER WEATHERBEATEN SAIL - Track 4
Never weather-beaten sail more willing came to shore
Never weary mariner did crave for harbour more
Then my troubled spirit longs to fly from out my weary breast
Still the waters, still the waters
Still the waters, dearest Lord, and take my soul to rest
Still the waters, still the waters
Still the waters, dearest Lord, and take my soul to rest
Ever blooming are the joys of heaven's high paradise
Where no wild wind's thunderous noise, nor storm clouds dim the skies
Glory then, the sun outshines, whose beams are seen but by the blessed
Still the waters, still the waters
Still the waters, dearest Lord, and take my soul to rest
Still the waters, still the waters
Still the waters, dearest Lord, and take my soul to rest
Never weather-beaten sail more willing came to shore
Never weary mariner did crave for harbour more
Then my troubled spirit longs to fly from out my weary breast
Still the waters, still the waters
Still the waters, dearest Lord, and take my soul to rest
Still the waters, still the waters
Still the waters, dearest Lord, and take my soul to rest
THE OLD TAR RIVER - Track 5
Ho, in the old Tar River
Oh, ohh, Eve – uhh!
O, Lord, you talkin' 'bout the old Tar River
Oh, ohh, talkin' 'bout the river – uhh!
The old Tar River gonna run tomorrow
The old Tar River gonna run tomorrow
I got a letter from Major Bailey
I'm walkin' by the old Tar River
Walk along, hop along, to the old Tar River
Well, the old Tar River run black and dirty
Big Joe and Major Bailey
Said the old Tar River gonna run tomorrow
Way down in the old Tar River
Well, the old Tar River gonna water my cattle
I got a letter from Major Bailey
I'm walkin' by the old Tar River
Walk along, hop along, to the old Tar River
Well, the old Tar River run black and dirty
Way down in the old Tar River
Well, the old Tar River gonna water my cattle
HOMEWARD BOUND - Track 6
Oh, we are homeward bound today
And soon we'll get our three years pay
For we are homeward bound, my boys
Hurraw, we're homeward bound
We're homeward bound to Liverpool town
Where all them gals they will come down
And when we gets to the Liverpool docks
Them pretty girls will come in flocks
Goodbye to the gals of old Callyo
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow
Them Spanish gals we've left behind
Were fine and free and very kind
We'd sing and dance and have good fun
When we was on the outward run
But when the boys had had their fun
And all our money was all gone
The Madam in her best silk gown
Said, "Get up, Jack, let John sit down."
'Twas time for us to roll 'n' go
And give some other John a show
So now our pay-day soon will come
Up Paradise Street we'll have good fun
RUN, LET THE BULGINE RUN - Track 7
Oh, a bulgine once was a-heavin'
Run, let the bulgine run
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Run, let the bulgine run
Oh, she's lovely up aloft and she's lovely down below
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
She's a dandy clipper an' a sticker too
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
With a dandy skipper an' a bully crew
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll rock an' we'll roll her over
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we sailed all day to Mobile Bay
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we sailed all night across the Bight
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll run from Callyo to Dover
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll run down south to old Cape Horn
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll run all day to 'Frisco Bay
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll run her snorty to the Roarin' Forties
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll run her far to old Mersey Bay
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Oh, we'll run across the map to old Saccarapp'
Oh, high ya, oh, aye yah!
Ó RÓ MO BHÁIDÍN - Track 8
I'll set my sail and to west I will steer
Óró mo churraichín ó [Phonetic: O-row muh kurrukeen-o]
And 'til midsummer night you will not see me here
Óró mo bháidín [Phonetic: O-row muh vaw-geen]
Óró mo churraichín ó,
Óró mo bháidín
Haulaway, haulaway, haulaway together,
Ò-ó-r ó, mo bháidín!
Isn't she fine on the bay as she glides
As the pull on the rowlocks so sturdy she guides
How wondrous her leaping the waves o'er and o'er
And so light when we haul her up over the shore
I'll set my sail and to west I will steer
And 'til midsummer night you will not see me here
THE BARK GAY HEAD - Track 9
Come all you brave Americans and listen to my ditty
It's all about a whaling bark, belongs New Bedford City
The bark Gay Head it is her name, she's known both up and down
Her captain's name is Jennings and, by God, beware a frown
Cheer boys, cheer for the Gay Head and crew
For growling and for soldiering when there are things to do
We never will, we never will, we never can be high
We want three thousand barrel of oil, root, hog, or die!
We'll cheer, me noble hearties, for the jarboard boat and crew
Mr. Hazard is the harpooner, he's a gentleman good and true
And when they lower in their boats, they do the best they can
Ryder's the biggest boaster, likewise the smallest man
And cheer for the noble starboard boat, whose crew are very good
Their boat leader is a Dartmouth man, they call him Mr. Wood
And when they lower in their boat, they don't make any noise
And when you talk of pulling, why, they're the very boys
SHENANDOAH - Track 10
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, how I long to hear you
Way ay, ay-ay-ay, Shenandoah
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, how I long to hear you
Way ay, ay, ay, Shenandoah
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I took myself a notion
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, to sail the stormy ocean
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I'm bound away to leave you
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I will not deceive you
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, how I love yer daughters
Oh, Shenandoah, I love to hear the music of yer waters
'Tis seven years, oh Shenandoah, since I last seen you
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I will never grieve you
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, she's my native valley
Oh, Shenandoah, beside her waters I do love to dally
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, she's a lovely river
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I never will forget you
MARY, COME JOIN OUR RELIGION - Track 11
Oh then Mary, come and join the religion
Oh, Mary, oh
Oh then Mary, come and join the religion
Oh Mary, young gal
Mary was a poor boy, she go from the door
Way from the door 'til she reach back home
Oh then Mary, come and join the religion
Oh then Mary, come join the religion
When I was a young man in my prime
The Devil himself couldn't beat my time
Oh then Mary, come and join the religion
Oh then Mary, come join the religion
Oh then Mary, come and join the religion
Oh then Mary, come join the religion
Mary, won't you come down to take our religion?
Mary, won't you help us to get food and water?
Oh then Mary, come and join the religion
Oh then Mary, come join the religion
JUST AS THE TIDE WAS A-FLOWING - Track 12
One morning in the month of May down by a rolling river
A jolly sailor I did stray when I beheld some lover
So carelessly along did stray a-picking of the daisies gay
So sweet she sang a rondele just as the tide was a-flowing
Oh, her dress it was as white as milk and jewels they did adorn her
Her shoes were made of the crimson silk just like some maid of honor
Her cheeks were red, her eyes were brown, her hair in ringlets hanging down
She'd a lovely brow without a frown just as the tide was a-flowing
I mad a bow and said, "Fair maid, how came you here so early?
My heart by you it is betrayed for I could love you dearly
I am a sailor come from sea, if you will accept my company
To walk and view the fishes play just as the tide is a-flowing"
No more we said but on the way we ganged along together
The small birds sang and the lambs did play and pleasant was the weather
When we were weary we both sat down beneath the tree with the branches all around
And what was done shall never be found as long as the tide is a-flowing
But as she lay there upon the grass here colours they kept a-changing
Till she cried out and said, "Alas, never let your mind be a-ranging
Here's twenty pounds I have in store. Meet me when you will, there is plenty more
For me jolly sailor I adore just as the tide is a-flowing
Well we both shook hands and away did steer, Jack Tar drinks rum and brandy
To keep his shipmates in good cheer, the lady's gold is handy
And along with some pretty maid I'll go, to a public house where the brandy do flow
Success to the maid that will do so just as the tide is a-flowing
GONNA GET HOME BY ‘N’ BY - Track 13
Sister Susan an' my gal Sal
Gonna get home by 'n' by!
All a-gonna live down Shinbone Al
Gonna get home by 'n' by!
Gonna get home by 'n' by
Gonna get home by 'n' by
Portugee Joe came down our Al
He went and ran off with my Sal
So I thought I'd take a trip to sea
So I shipped aboard o' a big Yankee
I shipped out of old Nantucket
That ship was like a leaky bucket
I told my cap'n my hands was cold
God damn yer hands, let the old ship roll
Oh, Cap'n Lamson is mighty damn mean
I think he come from New Orleans
A whaler's life's no life for me
I jumped her an' I left the sea
I ran right back to Shinbone Al
I'm a-gonna find me a new gal Sal
CALLER HERRING - Track 14
Buy my caller herrin',
They're bonny fish and halesome farin'
Buy my caller herrin',
New drawn frae the Forth
Noo when ye're sleeping on your pillow
Think ye oot o' oor brave fellows
Darkling o'er the stormy billows
A' tae fill our woven willows
And when the bonny creel it passes
Ladies dressed in silks and laces
Gather in their braw pelisses
Turn their heads and screw their faces
Noo neighbors wives come tent me telling
When the bonny fish ye're selling
At yer word be a' yer dealing
Truth will stand when a' things failing
THE CAPSTAN BAR - Track 15
Walk her round for we're rolling homeward
Heave, me boys, together
The old bully ship is a-lying wind'ard
Heave, me boys, away
She's taught and trim and the wind's a-blowin'
Snug up aloft and the ship's a-going
Heave her, or we'll strand her
For the old ship's rolling home
Sing and heave and heave and sing, boys
Heave and make that capstan spring, boys
It's blow, ye winds, for London town-o
Where them gals are dressed so fine-o
Sails trimmed taught and the ship's a-goin'
Move her round for the wind's a-blowin'
It's goodbye gals, we're bound to leave ya
Goodbye Sally and goodbly Lulu
Walk her round for we're rolling homeward
The old bully ship is a-lyin' wind'ard
She's taught and trim and the wind's a-blowin'
Snug up aloft and the ship's a-going
UNMOORING - Track 16
All hands on board, our bosun cries
His voice like thunder roaring
All hands on board, his mates reply
Tis the signal for unmooring
Then your messenger bring to
Heave your anchor to the bow
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
Go loose your topsails next, he cries
T'gallant sails and courses
Your jibs and royals see all clear
Haul home those sheets, my hearties
With a light and pleasant gale
We will crowd aloft our sail
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
Your anchor's now a-peek, he cries
Vast heaving, lads, vast heaving
Your cat and fish now overhaul
The capstan nimbly leaving
Then obey your bosun's call
Walk away with that cat-fall
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
Farewell to friends, farewell to foes
Farewell to dear relations
We're bound across the ocean blue
Bound for a foreign station
While we cross the raging main
The Union Jack we will maintain
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
And we'll think on those girls
When we're far, far away
SWELL MY NET FULL - Track 17
Out on the ocean, dreary and cold
I lead the life of a fisherman bold
So swell me net full, swell me net full
Mack'rel for Monday
Swell me net full
Wind from the south'ard, wind from the west
Plenty of fishes will come to your mesh
So swell me net full, swell me net full
Sea trout for Tuesday
Swell me net full
Wind from the nor'ard, wind from the east
Many a haul but never a feast
So swell me net full, swell me net full
We'll fish for Wednesday,
Swell me net full
God is our master, the weather he willed
But it's with herring our bellies we'll fill
So swell me net full, swell me net full
Herring for Thursday,
Swell me net full
Stay in the harbour, look o'er the foam
For Friday's the day the devil doth own
So swell me net full, swell me net full
Nothing for Friday,
Swell me net full
Stand to your nets with needle and twine
Whether the weather be stormy or fine
So swell me net full, swell me net full
Sand-dabs for Saturday,
Swell me net full
When I do die and life in me fails
Build me a tombstone of herring-back scales
So swell me net full, swell me net full
Sole is for Sunday,
Swell me net full
FIRE DOWN BELOW - Track 18
I thought I heard our old man say
Fire down below-oh-oh-oh-ohh, boys
Fire down below
You can go ashore and get your pay
But I don't care what the captain say
Cause two pound ten won't pay me way
I'll run away at the break of day
Because I can no longer stay
I'll go to my girl round Frisco Bay
I know very well it's with me she will stay
Because she know I have twelve month pay
And we'll go down to the Midway Plaisances
To see the pretty girls do the hoochy-coochee dances
IN A HANDY FOUR-MASTER - Track 19
In a handy four-master I once took a trip
Hooray boys, heave 'er down
An' I thought that I was aboard a good ship
Way down, ladies down
But when on the lake to my sorrow I found
That she was a workhouse and that I was bound
We left with a fair wind, a mere little breeze
But somehow the old man was not at his ease
We looked at the sky and he said, "Mr. Brown –
Just clew up those tops'ls and then reef'er down,"
We reefed up and we furled from dark to daylight
You never in your life did see such a sight
The mate was a shellback from way down below
He'd rave and he'd roar as he walked to and fro
The galley was dirty, the cooking was bad
Fresh meat was a thing that we never had
But now we are bound down the long Lakes once more
An' on this old wagon I'll ship never more
PARIS HERE I COME - Track 20
Paris here I come, drinking all the way-o
Paris here I come, drinking all the way-o
See a man from home with something to say-o
Way-hey, and we'll merry be
Way-hey, and we'll merry be
John go home, go home, someone's got your girl-o
I say let him come, want no more of her-o
All her love I had, none can take her place-o
In a big fine bed, overhung with lace-o
I had three sons, captains one and all-o
There's one at Bordeaux, two at La Rochelle-o
And the youngest there, through the world astray-o
Like his father here, drinking all the way-o
NOTHING BUT A HUMBUG - Track 21
Well, a catfish grow on a huckleberry vine
So they say, so they say
Catfish grow on a huckleberry vine
And that's all I know – I said
You're nothin' but a humbug
So they say, so they say
Well you're nothin' by a humbug
And that's all I know
Well Dandy Jim from North Carolina
He's come home for to marry Dinah
Well I never seen the like since I been born
Sailor on the fife-rail crackin' out corn
One day the blackbird said to the crow
Why do you love your farmer so
Well that's my trade since Adam was born
Scratchin' and a-diggin' up farmers' corn
Said the blackbird to the crow
Don't tell those pretty gals all you know
Well high and dry, we'll hoist her high
Hoist her high for a bulgine pie
Chorus twice at end