Can You Dance The Polka / New York Girls
Traditional:
courtesy of www.SailorSongs.com
As I walked out on South Street, a fair maid I did meet
Who asked me please to see her home she lived on Bleecker Street
CHORUS
And away, you Johnny, my dear honey
Oh you New York girls, you love us for our money
I said, "My dear young lady, I'm a stranger here in town
I left my ship just yesterday, from Liverpool I was bound."
I took her out to Tiffany's, I spared her no expense
I bought her two gold earrings, they cost me fifteen cents.
She said, "Come with me, Dearie, I'll stand you to a treat
I'll buy you rum and brandy, dear, and tab-nabs for to eat."
And when we reached the barroom, boys, the drinks was handed round
That liquor was so awful strong, my head went round and round.
When the drinking it was over, we straight to bed did go
And little did I ever think she'd prove my overthrow
When I came to next morning, I had an aching head
And there was I, Jack-all-alone, stark naked on the bed
I looked all around the room, but nothing could I see
But a lady's shift and apron which now belonged to me
Everything was silent, the hour was eight o'clock
I put my shift and apron on and headed for the dock
My shipmates seeing me come aboard, these words to me did say
"well well, old chap, you've lost your cap since last you went away."
"Is this the new spring fashion the ladies wear ashore?
Where is the shop that sells it? Have they got any more?"
The Old Man cried, "Why Jack, my boy, I'm sure I could have found
A better suit than that, by far, to buy for eighty pounds."
So come all you bully sailormen, take warning when ashore
Or else you'll meet some charming girl who's nothing but a whore
Your hard-earned cash will disappear, your rig and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher than the other side of Hell
The author of this website has put a lot of time and effort into gathering the greatest collection of sea shanties for the world to enjoy - There are songs that have been to sung to a job of work at sea for many, many years and collecting them has been a great endeavour. - Roger Chartier has made the effort out of his own interest and the requests that he has gotten to do this work from fellow musicians who wanted a good source of sea shanties to draw on and learn from. He has been told that for this effort he is a remarkable man.
