117 - Roll, Alabama, Roll! - Halyard Shanty


This halyard shanty has a very similar tune to "Roll The Cotton Down". Stan Hugill has this version of the "Roll, Alabama, Roll" from New Zeland Lady which he met, in New Zeland in 1925, whose husband had been a seaman in "Alabama".
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 159).



Roll, Alabama, Roll!

Oh, in eighteen hundread an' sixty one,
   - ROLL, alabama, ROLL!
This ship her building wuz begun.
   - Oh ROLL, alabama, ROLL!

                *2*
When the Alabama's keel was laid,
This ship her building was begun.

               *3*
Oh, she was build in Birkenhead,
Built in the yard of Jonathan Laird

               *4*
And down the Mersey she rolled one day,
An' across the western she ploughed her way

               *5*
With British guns, oh, she was stocked,
She sail from Fayal - in Cherbourg she docked.

               *6*
To fight the North, Semmes did employ,
Any method to kill an' destroy.

               *7*
But off Cherbourg, the Kearsage lay tight,
Awaiting was Winslow to start a good fight.

               *8*
Outside the three-mile limit they fought,
An' Semmes escaped on a fine British yacht.

               *9*
The Kersarge won - Alabama so brave,
Sank to the bottom to a watery grave.