By Hamish Maclaren, Capstan
shanty adapted by Charlie Ipcar ©2002 |
Chorus:
Away-ay, boys, away-o!
Blow me down this
Away, boys, lift and walk away!
My lotus lady, I'll see no more,
Away, boys, away-o!
Since I left her on the
Away, boys, lift and walk away!
When we first met, she was
like a queen, Chorus She'd flashing eyes and long black hair, I bought her silks and a golden comb, Chorus I blowed my silver for to win her, We're homeward bound, cookie's in the
galley, Chorus (2X) |
|
We don't know a lot about
Hamish Maclaren, the composer of this song. His parents in northern
The original words composed for "Yangtse River Shanty" by Maclaren are as follows. Unfortunately, there is no clue to what his tune may have been. He notes that:
"Strictly speaking, this type of song – from the shanty model – is, I suppose, now quite out of date; but personally I like to think that it has some life in it yet, and may note, in support of this whim, that I have myself helped to weigh anchor by hand, tramping round the capstan to music."
YANGTSE RIVER SHANTY
(Words for one more old bold out-of-date air)
O I'll never see my lotus lady more,
Away boys, walk away together!
Since I left her by the shore, the
Thrice again for luck and better weather!
Sweetest river flower, my Yangtse honey,
Walk away boys, walk away!
She was my good girl, she took my money,
Away boys, lift and walk away!
She spent my shining dollars like a queen,
Away boys, walk away together!
Her eye 'twas blacker than was ever seen,
Twice again for luck and better weather!
Sure I blowed my silver fortune for to win her,
Walk away boys, walk away!
And now there's nothing left but pork for dinner,
Away boys, lift and walk away!
To my beauty I bequeathed a golden comb,
Away boys, walk away together!
But trouble's over now the anchor's home.
Once again for luck and better weather!
We're bound afar and cookie's in the galley,
Walk away boys, walk away!
Fare thee well, young moon of all the Yangtse valley,
Away boys, lift and walk away!