The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #10638   Message #182413
Posted By: GUEST,T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
21-Feb-00 - 06:22 PM
Thread Name: Origin: Long Time Ago/Hoosen Johnny/Sam Houston
Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: A LONG TIME AGO (chantey)
vissjoy's is probably the one you want, but this seems to be a good place to put this sea chantey (which doesn't seem to be in the DT.)

A Long Time Ago
(Long drag shanty)
From:Stanton H. King, King's Book of Chanties, Oliver Ditson, Boston, 1918, p. 1.

A dollar a day is a stevedore's pay
To me way ha ha yah!
a dollar a day, I heard them say,
And a long time ago.

I bought in Hong Kong a pretty silk dress,
To me way ha ha yah!
I'm taking it home to my sweetheard Bess,
And a long time ago.

My Bess is fair and sweet to view,
To me way ha ha yah!
her hair is brown and her eyes are blue,
And a long time ago.

I thought I heard our second mate say,
To me way ha ha yah!
one more pull, and then belay,
And a long time ago.

X:1
T:A Long Time Ago
C:Long drag shanty--from:Stanton H. King, King's Book of Chanties, Oliver Ditson, Boston, 1918, p. 1.
M:6/8
K:G
L:1/8
"Solo"D | G3 A G F | G> A G F "Chorus" E D | G3 A3 | B3 D3 |
"Solo"B | c3 d B G | A G A B "Chorus" c c | B3 A2 A | G6 ||

T.