066 - Sacramento (C)

This song was sung as a capstan anchor shanty, especially when raising the "mud-hook".
This version the Cape Horn one is the most popular one. Stan Hugill thing this version was the original one, and it can be sung to either tune or to a mixture of both tunes, depending on the number of syllables in the verses.
This version I will try to recreate is capstan, and I heard it on Stan Hugill's album - „Sailing Days” (1991). Last note, this song was recorded two years ago and at the time I record it I didn't have as much knowledge about shanties as I have now so pronunciation can be not perfect.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 109).


Sacramento C

Oh around Cape Horn we are bound for to go
   - To me Hoo-dah! To me Hoo-dah!
Around Cape Horn through the sleet an' the snow,
   - To me Hoo-dah! Hoo-dah day!

   - Blow, boys, blow!
   - For Californ-eye-O!
   - There's plenty o' gold so I've bin told,
   - On the banks of the Sacramento!

             *2*
Oh around the Horn with a mainskys'l set,
Around Cape Horn an' we're all wringin' wet.

             *3*
Oh, around the Horn in the month o' May,
Oh, around the Horn is a very long way.

             *4*
Them Dago gals we do adore,
They all drink vino an' ask for more.

             *5*
Them Spanish gals ain't got no combs,
They comb their locks with tunny-fish bones.

             *6*
To the Sacramento we're bound away,
To the Sacramento's hell o' a way.

             *7*
We're the buckos for to make 'er go,
All the way to the Sacramento.

             *8*
We're the bullies for to kick her through,
Roll down the hill with a hullabaloo,

             *9*
Starvation an' ease in a Yankee ship,
We're the bullies for to make 'er rip.

             *10*
Santander Jim is a mate from hell,
With fists o' iron an' feet as well.

             *11*
Breast yer bars an' bend yer back,
Have an' make yer spare ribs crack.

             *12*
Round the Horn an' up to the Line,
We're the bullies for to make 'er shine

             *13*
We'll crack it on, on a big skiyoot,
Ol' Bully Jim is a bloody big brute.

             *14*
Oh, a bully ship wid a bully crew,
But the mate is a bastard through an' through.

             *15*
Ninety days to 'Frisco Bay,
Ninety days is damn good pay.

             *16*
Oh, them wuz the days of the good ol' times,
Back in the days of the Forty-nine.

             *17*
Sing an' have an' heave an' sing,
Heave an' make them handspikes spring.

             *18*
An' I wish to Gold I'd niver bin born,
To go a-ramblin' round Cape Horn.