078 - Bound To California

EN
This is capstan shanty of the Gold Rush Period, of which Miss C. F. Smith has found and published in her "A Book of Shanties" (1927). She mentions, that Captain J. L. Vivian Millett, from whom she had it, remembers hearing it sung at Algoa Bay, in the days when anchorage off that port was still crowded with sailing ships.
" ...A big vessel was just getting up her anchor; she had a good shanty crowd, and the chorus roared out by a score of voices came over the waters of the open roadstead with an unforgettable effect".
Unfortunately, Captain Millett could only give to Miss Smith the chorus of this shanty.
Shanties from the Seven Seas by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 118).



Bound To California


Good-bye, my lads, good-bye,
No one can tell me why
I am bound to California
To reap the shining gold!

Good-bye, my lads, good-bye,
No one can tell me why
I am bound to California
To reap the shining gold