PADDY DOYLE'S BOOTS
(Bunt Shanty)

To my way-ay-ay-ah-yah,
We'll pay Paddy Doyle for his boots.

We'll all drink brandy and rum,
And pay Paddy Doyle for his boots.

We'll all shave under the chin,
And pay Paddy Doyle for his boots.

We'll all throw dirt at the cook,
And pay Paddy Doyle for his boots.

Notes by CFS:

Paddy Doyle was consecrated to one occasion, and one alone- namely, getting the bunt - or middle part - of a large sail, generally a course, but sometimes a topsail, on to the yard. In furling, it may be added, the strongest and most experienced seamen were at the bunt; in reefing the exact contrary was the rule.

When it is remembered that one of these big sails would probably contain about five hundred yards of Number One canvas, it will readily be believed that it took a hefty combined heave to get it, rolled into a solid bundle, on to the yard. The big effort came at the word "Boots," which was shouted rather than sung.

Who Paddy Doyle was and why he was specially associated with boots I have not been able to discover; unless, indeed, he was a euphemism for the Duke of Hell, whose riding boots every old sailor was acquainted with. Opinion seems to be divided as to whether this shanty had a solo part or was an "all hands" affair right through. Bullen and Whall favour the latter view: Patterson, also a practical seaman, says that all hands came in on "Boots." No doubt both opinions are right, and custom varied in individual ships.

The tune bears a striking resemblance to the closing bars of "The Queen's Jig," and may have been picked up from the ship's fiddler.

The shanty from Colcord is in the DT. See thread 37570 for other versions: Paddy Doyle