New York Girls

NYgirls.jpg

This is another example of a young sailor's warning about the dangers of shore leave. Getting drunk and into trouble with the women in seaport towns was a common theme that ran through many sea chanties. This verse in the song 'Go To Sea No More' is another illustration of the sailor's admonitions.

Come all you bold seafaring lads
Who listen to my song
And when you go out on them long trips
Pray that you don't go wrong
Take my advice drink no strong drink
Don't go sleeping with no whore
But get married lads and have all night in
And go to sea no more

Lyrics:
G
As I walked down the Broadway
C
One evening in July
G C
I met a maid who asked me trade
C D
And a sailor John says I

To Tiffany's I took her
I did not mind expense
I bought her two gold earrings
And they cost me fifteen cents

G
AND AWAY, YOU SANTEE
C G
MY DEAR ANNIE
C Am
OH, YOU NEW YORK GIRLS
D G
CAN'T YOU DANCE THE POLKA?

Says she, 'You Limejuice sailor
Now see me home you may'
But when we reached her cottage door
She this to me did say

My flash man he's a Yankee
With his hair cut short behind
He wears a pair of long sea-boots
And he sails in the Blackball Line

He's homeward bound this evening
And with me he will stay
So get a move on, sailor-boy
Get cracking on your way

So I kissed her hard and proper
Afore her flash man came
And fare ye well, me Bowery gal
I know your little game

I wrapped me glad rags round me
And to the docks did steer
I'll never court another maid
I'll stick to rum and beer

I joined a Yankee blood-boat
And sailed away next morn
Don't ever fool around with gals
You're safer off Cape Horn