102 - Donkey Riding - Stamp And Go Shanty


A shanty similar to "Highland Laddie" and the almost identical tune is that known as "Donkey Riding". This song was also very popular among the timber droghers both in Liverpool and Canadian ports, and by sailors was used as a capstan or "stamp-n-go" shanty when working with cargo. This version Stan Hugill took from his old shipmate called Spike Sennit, who said it was just as popular at sea as in port. My reconstruction will imitate the "stamp-n-go" shanty.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 147,148).


Donkey Riding

Wuz ye ever in Quebec,
Launchin' timber on the deck,
Where ye'd break yer bleed-in neck,
   - Riding on a donkey?

   - Way, hay an' away we go!
   - Donkey riding, donkey riding!
   - Way, hay an' away we go!
   - Oh riding on a donkey?

                *2*
Wuz ye ever in Timbucktoo,
Where the gals are black an' blue,
An' they waggle their bustles too,
   - Riding...

                *3*
Wuz ye ever in Vallipo,
Where the gals put on a show,
Waggle an' dance with a roll 'n' go?
   - Riding...

                *4*
Wuz ye ever down Mobile Bay,
Screwin' cotton all the day,
A dollar a day is a white man's pay?
   - Riding...

                *5*
Wuz ye ever in Canton,
Where the men wear pigtails long,
And the gals play hong-ki-kong?
   - Riding...

                *6*
Wuz you ever in London town,
Where the gals they do come down,
See the king in a golden crown?
   - Riding...

                *7*
Wuz ye ever in Miramashee,
Where ye tie up to a tree,
An' the skeeters do bite we?
   - Riding...

                *8*
Wuz ye ever on the Broomielaw,
Where the Yanks are all the go,
An' the boys dance hell an' toe?

                *9*
Wuz ye ever down 'Frisco Bay,
Where the gals all shoun, hooray,
Here comes Johnny with his three years' pay!
   - Riding...

                *10*
Wuz ye ever off Cape Horn,
Where the weather's niver warm,
When ye wish to hell ye'd niver bin born?