The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61483   Message #988653
Posted By: Roberto
23-Jul-03 - 06:02 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Row Bullies Row (sung by Dan Milner)
Subject: Lyr Add: ROW, BULLIES, ROW (Dan Milner)
I can't understand all the words of the text of Row Bullies Row as sung by Dan Milner (in Irish Ballads & Songs of The Sea, Folk-Legacy CD-124): here is what I get and the words I completely miss. Can somebody help me to complete a correct text? Thank you. Roberto

When I was a youngster I sailed with the best
On a Liverpool packet bound out for the West
We sheltered one day in the harbour of Cork
And then we set out for the ports of New York

And it's row, row bullies row
You Liverpool judies has got us in tow
And it's row, row bullies row
You Liverpool judies has got us in tow

For forty-two days we were hungry and sore
The winds were agin' us, the gales they did roar
Off (?) Battery Point we anchored at last
With our jib'boom hove to and the canvas all fast

Them boardinghouse masters was off in a trice
They were shouting and selling all that was nice
Then one fat old crimp he (…) me
He says – You're a fool lad to follow the sea

He says – There's (?) a job, lad, just waiting for you
With lashings of liquor and nothin' to do
He says - what d' you think, lad, will you jump up to?
Says I - You ol' bastard, I'm damned if I do

But the best of intentions they never gets far
After forty-two days on the floor of the bar
I tossed off me liquor and what do you think
The lousy old bastard had drugs in me drink

The next I remembers, I woke in the morn
On a three skys'l yarder bound south round Cape Horn
We 'ad no suit of oilskins and free pairs of socks
A bleedin' big head and a dose on (?) the pox

Now all you young sailors take warning by me
Watch out for the drinks, when the liquor is free
Pay no attention to runner or whore
Your head'll be sick, your (…) be sore