Lyr. Add: CAN'T THEY DANCE THE POLKA!
Sung by Richard Maitland

1.
Shipmates, if you'll listen to me,
I'll tell you in my song
Of things that happened to me
When I came home from Hong Kong'
Cho.
To me way, you santy,
My dear honey!
Oh, you New York gals,
Can't they dance the polka!
2.
As I walked through Chatham Street,
A fair maid I did meet,
Who kindly asked me to see 'er safe home,
She lived on Bleeker Street.
3.
Says I, "My dear young lady,
I'm a stranger here in town!
I left my ship just yesterday
And for Boston I am bound."
4.
"Now, if you'll only come with me,
You can have a treat.
You can have a glass of brandy, dear,
And something nice to eat.
5.
"And if you'll only come with me-
The distance is not far!"
This fair maid seemed so kind to me
I hailed a passing car.
6.
When we got up to Bleeker Street
We stopped at No. 44,
Her "mother" and her "sister" were there
To meet us at the door.
7.
When we got inside of the house,
The drinks were passed around.
The liquor was so awful strong
My head went round and round!
8.
My lady friend said she'd a brother
Who was then away at sea,
The last time that they heard from him
His ship was in Shanghee.
9.
Just before we sat down to eat
We had another drink.
The liquor was so awful strong
I quickly fell asleep.
10.
When I awoke next morning,
I had an aching head.
There I was, Jack all alone,
Stark naked in the bed!
11.
My gold watch and my pocketbook
And lady friend were gone.
There I was, Jack all alone,
Stark naked in the room.
12.
On looking round the little room,
Nothing could I see
But a woman's shift and apron,
Which were no use to me.
13.
With a flour barrel for a suit of clothes,
I went down to Cherry Street.
There Martin Churchill took me in
And sent me around Cape Horn.

In the refrain, Dick Maitland sometimes sang: Oh, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka!

This modern version, plot borrowed from older songs such as "The Shirt and the Apron*," is more to the taste of current singers of sailors' songs. Also reminiscent of the story line in "The Winnipeg Whore" as sung by Oscar Brand.
Pp. 58-60, with score. W. Doerflinger, 1951, "Shantymen & Shantyboys, Songs of the Sailor & Lumberman," The Macmillan Co., NY.

*Greenleaf and Mansfield, 1933 (2004 facsimile), "Ballads and Sea Songs of Newfoundland," no. 112, pp. 222-223. Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland.