Justin- There are quite a few songs from Ratscliffe Highway. One of my favorites was collected by Cicley Fox Smith and has been folk-processed since by a member of Two Black Sheep and a Stallion: Adapted by Charlie Ipcar and slightly by modified Peter Outhart from an old broadside. Tune: " With my swag all on my shoulder" From Paterson's Old Bush Songs, the tune of which is a variant of 'The Boys of Wexford', Ratcliff Highway Come all you jolly sail-i-ors Come listen unto me Avast a while, I'll make you smile And tell you of a spree There's many a craft in Wapping In flying colours gay Pirate ships, and fireships, Along Ratcliff Highway. Chorus: So it's mind them fine flash frigates In their flying colours gay Or soon they'll clear your lockers out Along Ratcliff Highway. Down at the Blue Anchor A frigate took me in tow I was tempest toss'd, me cargo lost I made full sail to go Then I cruised the Mahogany Bar And so by the next day I lay so high and – oh so dry Along Ratcliff Highway. (CHO) In the Old Rose and Britannia Such frigates there at hand There's crooked Loo and squinty Sue And bandy Mary Anne There's skinny Sal the China gal And flash Maria neat There's bouncing Nell and brazen Belle Who's bin through 'arf the fleet Then in the famed King Billy That's in New Gravel Lane There's Jenny Jones, all skin and bones, And ugly Molly Payne There's bouncing Bet as black as Jet With a bustle such a size And shuffling Annie with her moist lips And Sukey gravy eyes. (CHO) Down at the Old Barley Mow I hailed a frigate tight Towed her away without delay And boarded her that night She took me watch, me money too, Me clothes without delay; Two bullies stout, they turned me out Along Ratcliff highway. (CHO) So all you jolly sail-i-ors I'd have you bear in mind There's pirate sort in every port And Fireships you'll find But if you wish to have a spree, When you're out on the loose, Get moored all right, so snug and tight In the Port of Paddy's Goose. Notes: No Chorus twixt 3rd and 4th verse I think it works better that way
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