Mrs. Santa is just revising the song for a forthcoming club night, so the DT has come in useful once again. Thanks to those who look after it, and particularly the one who added it. However, I do offer a few corrections.

THE AFRICAN TRADE
(Tom Lewis)

Stamp the capstan 'round, me boys, kick up some flamin' dust
For the triangle Southward we're sailin',
Never mind the trade you're in, you've got to make a crust
And blackbirding's easier than whalin',
Yeah, blackbirding's easier than whalin'

Now we're off the coast of Guinea, the Arab dhows come out
They're loaded down with misery for cargo
Black ivory for rifles is the business we're about
In the dark of night we'll outrun the embargo,
In the dark of night we'll outrun the embargo.

CHORUS:
And the tears of the slaves made the Mersey run black
That's how our great city was made.
When you look to the future take the time to look back
And remember the African trade,
Remember the African trade.

Our destination's Mobile Bay, so cram on every sail
Stop your ears; don't listen to the cryin'
It's wet on deck, but hell below, so bless the ragin' gale.
The sooner we get there the fewer dyin',
Yeah, the sooner we get there the fewer dyin'.

CHORUS

There's cotton in our hold for the mills of Lancashire,
And after all, you've only done your duty.
And if your kids are hungry there's another trip next year
If the memories won't let you sleep, just take another beer,
Rollin' home to dear old Liverpool, the nightmares reappear,
So keep your mind on England, home, and beauty,
Just keep your mind on England, home, and beauty.

CHORUS
Keep your mind on England, home, and beauty;
Slavery makes slaves of us all....

Copyright Tom Lewis
Recorded by Tom Lewis
@slavery @sailor
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