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08 Mar 11 - 03:04 PM (#3109829) Subject: ADD: Zebby Pike song From: Rex A friend in England recalls singing this song as a child in school. It is about the first steamship to dock at St. Louis in 1817 and there were several "Zebulon M. Pike" ships to follow. While I have an interest in steamships on the Mississippi and the explorer, Zebulon Pike, I have never heard anything about this song. I'm hoping someone can help with this. Here are the words that she can remember. ZEBBY PIKE Gonna tell you about an old steamboat Whose name was Zebby Pike. Well, not just one but eight there were, And all eight looked alike. They weren't all there together, But one by one they came A-steaming up the Mississip' In search of lasting fame. Now the first one back in '17 Alas was soon a wreck. Some sparks fell from the smoke-stack And they soon burnt up the deck. All the folks along Ol' Muddy, As they stood along the shore, Cried 'Oh Lord a-mercy, neighbour look, The Zebby Pike's no more |
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16 Mar 11 - 05:52 PM (#3115221) Subject: RE: Origins: Zebby Pike From: Rex So far nothing has come up about this song among my musical pals in the U.S. But I was hoping our English Catters might have something. Bill Sables? Anyone? Rex |
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05 May 11 - 01:52 PM (#3148662) Subject: RE: Origins: Zebby Pike From: GUEST I sang this too (in England about 8 years ago in a music festival about the Mississippi): ZEBBY PIKE Gonna tell you 'bout an old steamboat, her name was zebby pike Well not just one but 8 there were, and all 8 looked alike They weren't all there together, but one by one they came A steaming up the mississip in search of lasting fame Now the first one back in seventeen, blew up in clouds of smoke The fumes from the explosion, were enough to make you choke All the folks who heard it thunder, as they stood upon the shore Cried oh lord o' mercy neighbour look ! The zebby pike's no more Zebby pike, zebby pike, the zebby pikes no more Gonna tell you 'bout the zebby 2, Some 3 or 4 years on No sooner was that vessel launched, than it was sunk and gone Some say it hit a sandbank, some say it struck a rock But though we don't know why it went, The captain had a shock! Now the zebby 3 came round the bend, one dark and stormy night It rammed a barge of cotton, and it disappeared from sight All the folks along old muddy, were kept busy by the score As day after day they stood and watched, For zebby number 4 Zebby pike, zebby pike, for zebby number 4 It's sad to tell, a steamboat race brought zebby 4 to grief Its boiler burst while leading, its time in front was brief So bow your head in sorrow, for a victor lost that way And spare a thought for 5 and 6 Both sunk the self-same way Gonna tell you 'bout the next in line Her skipper's name was Don (or Dom, or tom, or john, we disagree !) He said this ship she's the best afloat, as I'll show everyone Full steam ahead for Memphis, that's where the ship was bound But long before it got that far, Poor mister don (or etc) was drowned Now the last of all the zebby pikes, alas was soon a wreck Some sparks fell from its smoke stacks, and they quickly burnt the deck All the folks who watched it blazing, were appalled a zebby's fate Cried oh lord o' mercy neighbour say Goodbye to number eight Say good bye, say good bye, good bye to number 8 Say good bye (bye bye), say good bye (bye bye), good bye to number eight Do do do, zebby pike! don't know anything about the origins though, sorry ! |
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06 May 11 - 06:34 PM (#3149477) Subject: RE: Origins: Zebby Pike From: GUEST,Jim Dixon Someone logs in at the Huffington Post by the name "Zebby Pike." You might ask him! |
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01 Feb 16 - 04:02 AM (#3769785) Subject: RE: Origins: Zebby Pike From: GUEST,Rob The song is from a mini musical / cantata called Mighty Mississippi. It is one of six, the full list being: Mighty Mississippi In New Orleans Zebby Pike Lament for a Slave Freedom Finale It was written by Pat Rooke and Gwyn Arch and published by EMI in 1980. Hope this helps. |