026 - Stormy Along, John

A fine old shanty was "Stormalong". Same as in "Lowlands Away" it was originally used at the pumps and later as a capstan. There are Those who believe it was built around John Willis- the owner of "Cutty Sark". But true it is negro origin and of much older vintage than then "Cutty Sark" period.
In Stan Hugill's book are described 6 versions of this family.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 75, 76).



Stormy Along, John


Oooh... Stormy's gone that good ol' man,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
Oh, Stormy's gone that good ol' man,
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *2*
Oh, poor Ol' Stormy's gone to rest,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
Of all ol' seamen he wuz best,
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *3*
He slipped his cable off Cape Horn.
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
Close by the place where he wuz born.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *4*
We dug his grave with a silver spade
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
His shroud o' finest silk wuz made.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *5*
I wisht I wuz Ol Stormy's son,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
I'd build a ship o' a thousant ton
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *6*
I'd sail this wide world round an' round,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
With plenty o' money I'd be found..
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *7*
We'd sail this ol' world round an' round,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
An' get hot rum oh, I'll be bound.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *8*
I,d load her up with Jamaicy rum,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
An' all me shellbacks they'd have some.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *9*
We'd git our drinks, lads, every man,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
With a bleedin' big bottle for the shantyman.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *10*
I'd load 'er up with grup an' gin,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
An' stay in the port that we wuz in.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *11*
I'd feed ye well, an' raise yer pay,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
An' stand ye drinks three times a day.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *12*
An' whin we git to Liverpool Town,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
We'll dance them judies round an' round.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *13*
Oh, Stormalong an' around we'll go,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
Oh, Stormalong through ice an' snow.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!

               *14*
When Stormy died he made a will,
   - Stormyalong boys, Stormalong, John!
To give us sailors gin to swill.
   - Ah, ha, come-along, git-along, stormy along, John!