Always a favorite chantey song. I hope to sing it on the Balclutha, at their monthly sing. I learned it from the Helen Schneyer record, but I will use the Blue Murder version. A couple of notes: (1) The singer is an incurable romantic, who exemplifies the triumph of hope over experience. "Spliced nearly" means "almost married", and it is clear that even though he went to sea after his last rejection, he thinks Sally will marry him in the end. I hope that worked out for him! (2) "Bully" means just what it did in the 19th Century. Great! Feelin' good! First-rate! Not drunk. Though I know of fewer songs that are likely to invite people to sing along, if they have had a few pints or drams.