As far a I can see it's either a a very nice re-working or one of the many versions of the traditional shanty Leave her Johnny / Amelia.


O the times are hard, and the wages low,
Amelia, whar' you bound to?
The Rocky Mountains is my home,
Across the western ocean.

That land of promise there you'll see,
Amelia, whar' you bound to?
I'm bound across that western sea,
Across the western ocean.

To Liverpool I'll take my way,
Amelia, whar' you bound to?
To Liverpool that Yankee school,
Across the western ocean.

There's Liverpool Pat with his tarpaulin hat,
Amelia, whar' you bound to?
And Yankee John the packet rat,
Across the western ocean.

Beware these packet-ships, I pray,
Amelia, whar' you bound to?
They steal your stores and clothes away,
Across the western ocean.

I have to say it was one of the most memorable songs in his set, last time I saw him.
Cheers
Les