The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #162167   Message #3857936
Posted By: Joe Offer
30-May-17 - 04:35 PM
Thread Name: Origins: New York Girls
Subject: ADD:Can't Ya Dance the Polka?(Oscar Brand version)
Lighter, as usual, is most astute. The Black Irish Band version is a limited rewrite of Oscar Brand's rendition. Here's my transcription from Brand's Bawdy Sea Shanties (1952):

CAN'T YA DANCE THE POLKA
(as recorded by Oscar Brand)

CHORUS
To me, way, you Santy, my dear Annie,
Oh, you New York gals, can't you dance the polka?

Now, shipmates if you'll listen to me, I'll tell ya in my song,
Things that lately happened when I come home from Hong Kong.

CHORUS

As I was walked out 'longside the docks, a fair maid I did meet,
She asked me for to see her home, and she lived on Bleecker Street.

CHORUS

Says I, "My dear young lady, I'm a stranger here in town,
I left my ship just yesterday, and to Boston I am bound."

CHORUS

Says she, "Well, come along with me and you will have a treat,
For you shall have some brandy, dear, and something good to eat".

CHORUS

When we got down to Bleecker Street, we stopped at 44,
Her twenty so-called "sisters" was a-waitin' at the door.

CHORUS

They gave me wine that tasted fine, but it went right to my head;
Then they threw their clothes away, and they carried me to bed.

CHORUS

When I awoke next morning, all naked in the dawn;
My clothes and all my money and them lady friends was gone.

CHORUS

Lord, I don't miss the money, as some other sailors might,
But I wish I could remember if if I had some fun that night.

CHORUS