Terry includes this song in "The Shanty Book" Part I, 1921, and comments, "This is clearly of Negro origin. I learn't several variants of it, but for its present form I am indebted to Capt. W. I. Dowdy."

Compare with "Gal With the Blue Dress On," as sung by A.L. Lloyd on the Prestige collection, "A Sailor's Garland." Here, Lloyd writes, "A halyard shanty, most shelbacks say, though at least one 19th collection names it a pumping song. Known to Liverpool seamen, but sounding much like a Negro composition."

Shake her and we'll wake her -- Tom