005 - A-Rovin’ (D) The following version tune, according to Stan Hugill's Book is 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. Below the text of the version, I will try to recreate: Lyrics from Shanties from the Seven Seas, by Stan Hugill. A-ROVIN' (Hugill Version d) In Amsterdam there lived a maid Bless you young women! In Amsterdam there lived a maid Now mind what I do say! In Amsterdam there lived a maid An' she was mistress of her trade I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's bin me ru-i-in I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid *2* I took this fair maid for a walk. Bless you, young women! I took this fair maid for a walk. Now mind what I do say! I took this fair maid for a walk, An’ we had such a lovin’ talk. I’ll go no more, etc. *3* An’ didn’t I tell her stories true, Of the gold we found in Timbuctoo. *4* But when she’d spent me bloomin’ screw, She cut her cable an’ vanished too. Other stanzas with a genuine ring are: *5* I met her walking on the Strand, Dressed up for to beat the band. *6* In Number One New England Square, Me Nancy Dawson she lives there. *7* This last ten months I’ve bin to sea, Ah’ hell, this gal looked good to me.
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