ROLL DOWN
(by Peter Bellamy)

Roll Down
Cyril Tawney, on The Transports, A Ballad Opera by Peter Bellamy, Topic TSCD459, first released in 1977

Sweet ladies of Plymouth we're saying goodbye
Ro - o - o - oll down
We'll rock you and roll you again by and by
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

And we will Ro - o - o - oll down
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

Now the anchor's aweigh and the sails are unfurled
Ro - o - o - oll down
We're bound for to take her half way round the world
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

In the wide Bay of Biscay the seas will run high
Ro - o - o - oll down
The poor sickly Transports they'll wish they could die
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

When the wild coast of Africa it do appear
Ro - o - o - oll down
The poor nervous Transports they'll tremble with fear
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

When the Cape of Good Hope it is rounded at last
Ro - o - o - oll down
The poor lonesome Transports they'll long for the past
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

When the great southern whales on our quarter do spout
Ro - o - o - oll down
The poor simple transports, they'll goggle and shout
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

And when we arrive off Australia's strand
Ro - o - o - oll down
The poor weary Transports they'll long for the land
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

And when we set sail for old Eng - gl - land's shore,
Ro - o - o - oll down
The poor stranded Transports we'll see him no more
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down

Then sweet ladies of Plymouth we'll pay all your rent
Ro - o - o - oll down
And go roving no more 'til our money's all spent
Walk around m' brave boys and roll down