Nice to get some notes on this old song. We were wondering whether it was really old or composed to sound traditional.

Several years ago Roll & Go did several gigs aboard the barkentine Gazela when she'd slip into Maine for special events; she's headquartered in Philadephia. She's a fine old ship and we adapted "Rosabella" to "Old Gazela" and added a few new verses:


OLD GAZELA

(Adapted by Charlie Ipcar of Roll & Go, © 1996;
from traditional halyard shanty "Rosabella")


We are going on board the old Gazela,
We are going on board the old Gazela,
We are going on board, right down to board,
The saucy old Gazela.

Chorus:

We are going on board the old Gazela,
We are going on board the old Gazela,
We are going on board, right down to board,
The saucy old Gazela.

One Monday morning in the month of May,
One Monday morning in the month of May,
I thought I heard the Captain say,
"The old Gazela sails today." (CHO)

Them pretty girls do make me grieve,
Them pretty girls do make me grieve,
They spent my money, they caused me to leave,
On board the old Gazela. (CHO)

We sailors are so sick and sore,
We sailors are so sick and sore,
Our whiskey's gone, we can't get no more,
On board the old Gazela. (CHO)

Now up aloft this yard must go,
Now up aloft this yard must go,
For Mr. Mate has told us so,
On board the old Gazela. (CHO)

The Captain dearly loves our crew,
The Captain dearly loves our crew,
She always finds us work to do,
On board the old Gazela. (CHO)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble