157 - The Codfish Shanty - Capstan Shanty

One another version of the very popular capstan shanty "South Australia" is a version called "Codfish Shanty", and it's due to on account of the prominence of the codfish in this shanty. Following version is getted by Stan Hugill from his shipmate shantymen Harding (American version), and Paddy Delaney old-timer who told Stan Hugill about British alternatives.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 196).


The Codfish Shanty


Down east gals ain't got no combs,
   - Heave away! Heave away!
They comb their hair wi'a whale fish bone,
   - An' we're bound for south Australia!

   - Heave away, me bully, bully boys,
   - Heave away! Heave away!
   - Heave away, why don't ye make some noise?
   - An' we're bound for South Australia!

                            *2*
Yankee gals don't sleep on beds,
They go to sleep on codfish's heads,

                           *3*
Cape Cod gals have got big feet,
Codfish's rows is nice an' sweet.

                           *4*
Quaker gals don't wear no frills,
They're tight an' skinny as a halibut's gills.

                           *5*
Glou'ster gals make damn fine cooks,
They're good at catching sprats on hooks.

                           *6*
Nantucket gals are very fine,
They know how to bait a codfish line.