126 - Sally Brown B (Robbins version) - Halyard Shanty


This I another "roll" shanty, the most famous "Roll an' Go!", also known as "Sally Brown". This particular version from Cecil Sharp's "English Folk-Chanteys" is a halyard shanty, as Stan Hugill mention it is only one theme of this song, and it is - all about Sally and her daughter. As an author of "Shanties from The Seven Seas" mentioned - there existed many obscene verses, which accounts partly for the fact that popularity never waned! Robbins, Cecil Sharp's shantyman, sang the following tune. He said he always used it at halyards.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 165).



Sally Brown A (Robbins version)

I shipped on board of a Liverpool liner,
   - WAY, ho, a ROLling go!
And I shipped on board of a Liverpool liner,
   - For I SPEND my money 'long with SALly Brown!

             *2*
O Sally Brown was a Creole Lady
O Sally Brown was a Creole Lady

             *3*
O Sally Brown was a bright mulatto
O Sally Brown was a bright mulatto

             *4*
O seven years I courted Sally.
O seven years I courted Sally.

             *5*
And now we're married and we're living nice and comfor'ble.
And now we're married and we're living nice and comfor'ble.