The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #81820   Message #1501257
Posted By: Rapparee
06-Jun-05 - 03:03 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Roll, Alabama Roll
Subject: Lyr Add: ROLL, ALABAMA ROLL (from Schooner Fare)
This is from Schooner Fare's website; the song is on their "Schooner Fare -- Alive!" album. (Sorry, I don't have the chords 'cause I play trumpet.)

ROLL, ALABAMA, ROLL
Trad. Arr. Schooner Fare

We borrowed this old halyard chantey from the collection of the
great Bill Bonyun from Westport Island, Maine, and added a little
Stephen Foster, and a dash of John Jameson. This great sing-a-long
recounts the demise of the British-built Alabama during the
American Civil War at the hands of the Maine-built Kearsarge in the
English Channel.

When the Alabama's keel was laid;
Roll, Alabama, roll.
It was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.
Down the Mersey ways she rolled then
Roll, Alabama, roll.
Liverpool fitted her with guns and men.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.

        Oh, Susannah, don't you cry for me;
        I still sail the Alabama with my banjo on my knee.

From the Eastern Isles she sailed forth;
Roll, Alabama, roll.
To destroy the commerce of the North.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.
And many a sailor saw his doom.
Roll, Alabama, roll.
As the Kearsarge hoved into view.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.

        Chorus

A ball from the forward pivot that day;
Roll, Alabama, roll.
Shot the Alabama's stern away.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.
Off the three mile limit in sixty-four.
Roll, Alabama, roll.
The Alabama was seen no more.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.

        Chorus

Roll, Alabama, roll.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.

        Chorus

Off the three mile limit in sixty-four.
Roll, Alabama, roll.
The Alabama was seen no more.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.
And the captain promised to his men
Roll, Alabama, roll.
That like the South, she'd rise again.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.

        Chorus
        Chorus

Roll, Alabama, roll.
Roll, Alabama, roll.
Oh, roll, Alabama, roll.