Lyr Req: They Call Her Slippery Sal

Subject: LYRICS WANTED: They Call Her Slippery Sal
From: Pasha
Date: 05 Jul 99 - 04:06 PM

I heard this song on the radio in the 1960's. Never could find the record. Does any one have the words, or better still, does anyone have a recording I could listen to? Thanx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: They Call Her Slippery Sal
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 08:24 PM

Here's one that seems to fit the bill: The Back Porch Majority (one of those New Christy Minstrels clones that were parodied so well in "A Mighty Wind") recorded a song called SLIPPERY SAL AND DIRTY DAN THE OYSTER MAN, written by Randy Sparks. It's on the album "The Best of the Back Porch Majority," Collectors' Choice Music CD #246, 2002. From a sound sample:

"…I said a woman but I don't mean just a woman.
Listen and I'll sing you the rest.
They call her Slippery Sal, that waterfront gal.
They was standin' in line just to be her pal.
I tell you best that I can the way it began.
She did the town with Dirty Dan, the oyster…."

Subject: Lyr Add: SLIPPERY SAL
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Jan 12 - 07:36 AM

Most Happy Fellows is a barbershop quartet. The album cover says "1977 International Champions."


SLIPPERY SAL
As sung by Most Happy Fellows on "Most Happy Fellows: Masterworks Series Volume 1" (2008)

I want to tell you a story the way it was told to me,
All about a place away down south in a time called used-to-be.
The beginning and the ending of my story is about a gal—
You might have guessed—
I don't mean just any old gal; listen; I'll tell you the rest:

They called her Slippery Sal, that mean old waterfront gal.
They were standing in line just to be her pal.
I'll tell you best that I can the way it began.
She did the town with Dirty Dan the oyster man.
They came a-shufflin' feet down along Bourbon Street
Till they stopped at the corner for a bite to eat.
They had a mess o' grits, and when they were through,
She went a-sneakin' out the back door with somebody new.
That's why they called her Slippery Sal,
That mean old waterfront gal.
She was no good, he should have known.
A woman like that is better left alone.
Now poor old Dirty was sad, but then he got mad,
'Cause she took the very last quarter he had.
He had that look in his eye, and I'll tell you why:
You didn't do that do Dirty Dan the oyster man.
They said through all of her life, she was the devil's own wife,
Till old Dirty got her with his oyster knife,
And that was the end of Slippery Sal,
That mean old good-for-nothing waterfront gal.
So when you're walkin' down Bourbon Street,
Be careful where you put your feet,
'Cause likely as not, if you step on that spot
Where old Sal died, you're gonna slide a lot.
Well, it happened so long ago,
And I told you 'bout the best that I know,
About Dirty Dan the oyster man
And Slippery Sal, that waterfront gal—
'Bout Slippery Sal and Dirty Dan the oyster man.
Told you best that I can 'bout Dirty Dan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: They Call Her Slippery Sal
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Jan 12 - 08:07 AM

Wow! The 1960s were such an innocent time, and we would make every effort to outdo one another with such grisly gallows humor.

Charley Noble