004 - A-Rovin’ (C)

Most versions given in print have been camouflaged beyond all recognition, and others are far too sentimental for Sailor John to have sung them. The following version, which I picked up in Port Adelaide, South Australia, has a genuine ring to it. This too omits the ‘Mark well’, etc., refrain, but uses the full tune.
Two verses that are difficult to bowdlerize have been omitted!
The tune of the following version, given only by Terry and Sharp, is probably the older one—it has the jerkiness of all shanties which were sung at the earlier brake-pumps and lever windlasses.
Still too fast tempo, maybe ok for first 10 minutes work on pumps.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 50).


A-ROVIN' (Hugill Version C)

                   *1*
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
An’ she wuz tall an’ fair.
Her eyes wuz blue, her lips wuz red,
For Salt John’s money, O, she had -a flair.

      I’ll go no more a-rovin’, etc.

                   *2*
But when it came to leavin’ her,
An’ I told her I must go,
She cried a bit, she cursed a bit,
An’ then she cried, ‘Here’s Holy Joe!’

                   *3*
The anchor’s up, our sails are set,
An’ we are homeward bound.
Another gal I never shall see,
Until we reach ol’ Plymouth Sound.