047 - Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)

Stan Hugill in the description of this version said, is that his friend Mr. T. E. Elwell informed him that when he was a shantyman he often sang the words of certain song A. Conan Doyle had written in his series "Tales of the High Seas". This was all about a certain pirate "Captain Shankey" of the ship "Happy Delivery".
"Rio Grande" was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song. This song will be singing as a capstan shanty.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 93).


Rio Grande (A. Conan Doyle version)

A trader sailed from Stepney Town,
   - Way down Rio!
With a bag of gold and a silken gown,
   - And we're bound for the Rio Grande,

   - Then away, love away!
   - Way down Rio!
   - Sing fare-ye-well, my pretty young girl,
   - And we're bound for the Rio Grande,

                            *2*
Where is the trader of Stepney Town?
His gold's on the capstan, his blood's on his gown.

                            *3*
Then it's up an' it's over to Stornaway Bay,
Where the whisky is good and the lassies are gay.