The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62948   Message #2680432
Posted By: GUEST,Lighter
14-Jul-09 - 09:00 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Rosabella
Subject: RE: Origins: The Rosabella
Scott is among the most difficult of Carpenter's shantymen to understand. He went to sea in 1863, so must have been close to 80 when Carpenter recorded him.

The liner notes say only, "The Saucy Rosabella: J.S. Scott, London...Recorded by James M. Carpenter 1928."

After listening for an hour, I can't do any better than this:

I'm goin' right aboard the Rosabella.
I'm goin' right aboard the Rosabella.
I've shipped on board, I must go board of
The saucy Rosabella.

For the Rosabella [?she can] ????????
????????? seas [?conduct] her
But the [?fastest time that] she beat them all
?????? from the old North River.

I must go board the Rosabella.
I must go board the Rosabella.
I've shipped on board, and I must go board of
The saucy Rosabella.

The "North River" is an old New York City name for the Hudson River, FWIW.