Oh there's little doubt that such places existed all over the world and Hugill has provided the best overview in his book titled Sailortown. But it's also true that the ports the old shellbacks knew have all gone strange, with condominiums and shopping malls crowding the dockyard and even the piers.

My only little ditty also highlights a few:

Words by Charlie Ipcar, © 2003
Tune: traditional Sailors' Hornpipe
Key: C (7/F)
Rolling Down to Sailortown

Chorus:

Oh, we're rolling down to Sailortown,
Yes, we're rolling down to Sailortown;
Now we'll have our run ashore,
For them flashgirls we adore;
And we're rolling down to Sailortown!

We're rolling down to London Town,
Yes, we're rolling down to London Town,
Now we'll cruise through Tiger Bay,
And in Anchor Lane we'll lay;
And we're rolling down to London Town!

We're rolling down to them Liverpool Docks,
Yes, we're rolling down to them Liverpool Docks,
With them Judies all in tow,
Down Paradise Street we'll go;
And we're rolling down to them Liverpool Docks!

We're rolling down to Amsterdam,
Yes, we're rolling down to Amsterdam,
Now they say there is a maid
Who is mistress of her trade;
And we're rolling down to Amsterdam!

We're rolling down to them Bowery Docks,
Yes, we're rolling down to them Bowery Docks;
Now we love them South Street girls,
And we'll give them all a whirl;
And we're rolling down to them Bowery Docks!

We're rolling down to Mobile Bay;
Yes, we're rolling down to Mobile Bay;
We'll screw cotton all the day,
Drink and dance the night away;
And we're rolling down to Mobile Bay!

We're rolling down to Kingston Town,
Yes, we're rolling down to Kingston Town;
One more round with Sally Brown,
Shin-Bone Alley's where we're bound;
And we're rolling down to Kingston Town!


We're rolling down to old Rio,
Yes, we're rolling down to old Rio;
We've got no time to dally,
For it's 'round the corner, Sally;
And we're rolling down to old Rio!

We're rolling down to Callao,
Yes, we're rolling down to Callao;
If we meet with Sarefina,
Our pockets will be cleaner;
And we're rolling down to Callao.

We're rolling down to the Barbary Coast,
Yes, we're rolling down to the Barbary Coast;
Find the Midway Plaisance,
See the hoochy-coochee dance,
And we're rolling down to the Barbary Coast.

We're rolling down to old Maui,
Yes, we're rolling down to old Maui;
Now we'll paint them beaches red,
Wake with a big, fat, aching head;
And we're rolling down to old Maui!

We're rolling down to old Hong Kong,
Yes, we're rolling down to old Hong Kong;
We'll go down to Mother Rackett's.
An' we'll pawn our monkey-jackets;
And we're rolling down to old Hong Kong!

We're rolling down to Sydney Town,
Yes, we're rolling down to Sydney Town;
For sure, it grieves me mind,
To leave Nancy Blair behind;
And we're rolling down to Sydney Town!

We're rolling down to Old Bombay,
Yes, we're rolling down to Old Bombay;
Of the pox you needn't worry,
If you use a little curry,
And we're rolling down to Old Bombay!

We're rolling down to Old Cape Town,
Yes, we're rolling down to Old Cape Town;
On Cape "smoke" our minds we'll burn,
Then to England we'll return,
And we're rolling down to Old Cape Town! (CHO)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble