The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #122362   Message #3922724
Posted By: GUEST
07-May-18 - 12:12 PM
Thread Name: Ship Margaret Evans, songs
Subject: RE: Ship Margaret Evans, songs
An unanswered question is what type of work was this chanty sung with in the mid-19th century? Hauling up the anchor and sails?

References to the bullgine and track may suggest a rail siding along the pier, thus the song may have been sung during lading or unlading, although that kind of activity des not lend itself to a rhythmic chanty.

As previously mentioned, the phrase "Clear away the track and let the bullgine run" may have been used in this song merely as an exhortation to haul anchor, get the sails up, and get going.

Bill Ruxton
Millersville, MD
bilrux@aol.com