Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row

Subject: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: GUEST,radriano
Date: 14 Nov 15 - 10:25 PM

Hello Mudcatters,

I recently came across a sea shanty called "Row, Me Bully Boys, Row."

I was told that the version was from the Russell Crow film "Robin Hood." I've also found a Utube clip of a different version, well, different lyrics with the same melody sung by the English group "The Barnacle Buoys." I've tried contacting them without success. Any one out there know of this song? It may be a song that was adapted for the film or maybe it was written for the film. Some of the words sound modern to me.

Lyrics, as sung by The Barnacle Buoys are:

When we set sail for Bristol the sun was like crystal
And it's row, me bully boys, row
We found muddier water when passing Bridge Water
And it's row, me bully boys row

Chorus:
And it's row, me bully boys, we're in a hurry, boys
We've got a long way to go
And we'll drink as we glance - a last look at France
And it's row, me bully boys, row

We sailed away in the roughest of waters
And it's row, me bully boys, row
But now we're returning so lock up your daughters
And it's row, me bully boys, row

Chorus

So we've been away for many a day now
And it's row, me bully boys, row
So we'll fill out our sails and drink all the ale now
And it's row, me bully boys, row

Chorus

So we'll drink and we'll feast with no care in the least
And it's row, me bully boys, row
And soon, as we're craving', we'll sail up to Avon
And it's row, me bully boys, row

Chorus

As we tied up in Bristol, me heart was a-thumpin'
And it's row, me bully boys, row
Then I found my girl Alice, who took me a-scrumpin'
And it's row, my bully boys, row

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 04:56 AM

I recognise the title, and the general pattern of the song as one sung regularly by Louis Killen from the sixties onward, but the words are not familiar at all

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Lighter
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 07:38 AM

"Row, Bullies, Row" may be the title of the authentic sea song GUEST is thinking of. Or else "Blow, My Bully Boys, Blow."

"Row, Me Bullies" is a very recent pastiche. The diction alone is enough to prove it: elaborate and consistent internal rhymes that never appear in chanteys, modern cliches ("lock up your daughters!"), the literary vocabulary "we'll...feast"), forced language ("as soon as we're cravin'"), self-conscious poetry ("the sun was like crystal").

These traits are basically foreign to traditional (often improvised) chanteys, and having *all* of them in one short song settles the matter.

Will the real author(s) of the new song please stand up?

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 09:08 AM

Comments here TheSession
say it was Alan Doyle of
Great Big Sea " 

"... In 2012, Alan joined his friend Russell Crowe onscreen, utilizing his acting skills in the role of troubador and archer Allan A'Dayle in the new Universal blockbuster Robin Hood."

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: radriano
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 01:44 PM

Hmm, the comments in the link to "The Session" do not say the song was written by Alan Doyle, at least not that I could find.

I believe I did say that some of the words sounded modern to me. And no, Row, Bullies, Row is not the authentic sea song I was thinking of, Lighter.

The lyrics I posted are not what was sung in the movie, aside from the chorus, of course.

It would be nice to connect with "The Barnacle Buoys" - their website makes contacting them difficult. Where do their lyrics come from?

I haven't posted on Muscat for a long time. I hope all you Mudcatters are doing well.

Cheers to everyone.
Richard

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 04:14 PM

Put together by the Newfie Bros of Great Big Sea, for the Robin Hood film.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Lighter
Date: 15 Nov 15 - 06:21 PM

"Presentism" with a vengeance.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 04:29 PM

Definitely not trad, neither words nor tune. Probably written for the film. Check the credits. Fake shanty to lend color to the film.

Linn

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: EBarnacle
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 06:50 PM

Go to any of the major collections, such as Hugill, and see the accepted words.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Lighter
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 07:20 PM

You'll see no words at all, accepted or otherwise. At least not for this song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 08:53 PM

Sheesh. Already been said it was for the Robin Hood film, that starred King of the Newfie Bros, Alan "See the King in his Golden Crown" Doyle. :-) You want proof?

https://youtu.be/nAZ-nepy-e4?t=5m58s
Check his "Soundtrack" credits:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0236269/

If you've ever heard Great Big Sea you'll hear their influence ring on a donkey all over this song and rendition. Similar "bros with tankards" ethos in the soundtrack to the Assassin's Creed video game.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 17 - 07:17 PM

It was written by Alan Doyle (formerly of Great Big Sea) for Robin Hood with Russel Crowe. Doyle is one of the "Merry Men".

As of October 2017, he's releasing it on the album "A Week at the Warehouse".

There's a great blog posting (August 18th, 2017) about the song on his website: Bully Boys. A Modern Folk Song (alandoyle.ca)

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 27 Sep 17 - 03:34 AM

Hi Jim, The one closely associated with Louis Killen as I recall was "Blow, Boys, Blow"
"Was you ever down the Congo River, Blow Boys Blow,
Where the fever makes a white man shiver, Blow mw Bully Boys Blow"
As for checking in Hugill you'll find that the words are "Roll Bullies Roll" as opposed to the common misconception "Row Bullies….

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Lighter
Date: 27 Sep 17 - 10:14 AM

First appearance of Killen's version of "Blow, Boys, Blow," was on MacColl & Lloyd's LP "Blow Boys Blow" (Tradition TLP 1026), 1960.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 17 Apr 18 - 09:00 AM

Just confirming that Alan Doyle's album A Week In The Warehouse has been released and contains a rip roaring version of Bully Boys along with a bunch of other folk-rock gems.

The Rambling Sailors have also recorded a version on their Port Of Call record.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Apr 18 - 07:24 AM

We had Congo River by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem on their Sing of the Sea album.

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 18 Apr 18 - 05:45 PM

Is 'row bullies row' not part of the chorus of Liverpool Judies which I think is an old sea shanty? (well so we understood back in the early '60s----!!!!)
Don't know what tune is used in Robin Hood film mind you - -- -

Subject: RE: Origins: Row, Me Bully Boys, Row
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 11 Aug 21 - 09:16 AM

Bully is the term for good. So my bully boys are my good or excellent boys. As kids we said bully for you ie good for you

Subject: Privet
From: GUEST,SanImaph
Date: 22 Jan 23 - 02:23 PM