The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #126347 Message #2896971
Posted By: Lighter
29-Apr-10 - 07:56 PM
Thread Name: From SF to Sydney - 1853 Shanties Sung?
Subject: RE: From SF to Sydney - 1853 Shanties Sung?
Sharp prints an unusual shanty that he calls "What is in the Pot a-Boiling? (Pulling Chanty)" that bears some vague resemblance to "Rolling John." Sharp collected it in 1914 from H. C. Alison of Perth .
The tune is a lot like the usual "Sally Brown" tune.
What is in the pot a-boiling?
O row, heave and go.
Two sheep's spunks and an apple dumpling.
O row, heave and go.
Resemblances: "Sally" tune connection and "Sally" in the Savannah version. Sally's "Roll and go" could have become "Rolling John." Food lyrics as in "Blow, Boys, Blow," one line of which appears in RJ. A repeat chorus in this and in RJ.
Flimsy yes, but just enough connection to allow a clear conscience while you sing "Rolling John" to Sharp's tune, ad libbing as you go.
I won't guess at the meaning of sheep's "spunks." "Sheep-shanks," on the other hand, would reasonably be boiled.