I guess you know that the lyrics for the song are in our database here (click) and here (click). Click here to see what the Traditional Ballad Index says about this song. We had quite a discussion about this song a while back, but I can't find it - guess it didn't have "Bulgine" in the thread title, but maybe Barry or one of the other rowdy sea shanty guys can find it for you. I think it was said in the discussion that the song was about a train engine used on the docks. Metchosin's explanation sounds every bit as credible, but who knows?
-Joe Offer