042 - Rio Grande D

This Shanty of all the work-songs of the sea is the one with the least variation in tune. Some versions give three notes to the final "Rio", others give two.
The main patterns of this shanty are:
   1 - Leaving Liverpool
   2 - Gold Rush Version
   3 - The Milkmaid
   4 - Leaving New York,
   5 - The Fishes,
   6 - The Mail ("Gam").
We have also at least 6 different versions of the chorus.
"Rio Grande" was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song. This song will be singing as a capstan shanty.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 92).


Rio Grande D

A ship went a-sailing out over the bar,
   - Way for Rio!
They've pointed her bow to the southern star,
   - An' we're bound for the Rio Grande,

   - Then away, bullies away!
   - Way for Rio!
   - Sing fare-ye-well, me Liverpool gels,
   - An' we're bound for the Rio Grande

                           *2*
Oh, farewell to Sally an' farewell to Sue,
An' you on the pierhead it's farewell to you.

                           *3*
Yeu Bovery laides we's have ye to know,
We're bound to the south'ard--O Lord, let us go!

                           *4*
We,ve a bully good ship an' a bully good crew,
But we don't like the grub, no I'm damned if we do.

                           *5*
Oh fare ye well, all ye ladies o' town,
We,ve left ye enough for to buy a silk gown.

                           *6*
We'll sell our salt cod for molasses an' rum,
An' get back again 'fore Thanksgivin' has come.

                           *7*
Oh, New York town is no place for me,
I'll pack up me sea-chest an' git off to the sea.

                           *8*
Oh, man the good caps'n an' run her around,
We'll heave up the anchor to this bully sound.

*9*
To the Brazils we're bound an' we hope ye don't mind,
We soon will return to the Molls left behind.

*10*
The chain's up an' down now the Bosun did say,
It's up to the hawse-pipe, the anchor's aweigh!