Yangtse River Shanty

O I'll never see my lotus lady more,
Away boys, walk away together!
Since I left her by the shore, the China shore,
Thrice again for luck and better weather!

Sweetest river flower, my Yangtse honey,
Walk away boys, walk away!
She was my good girl, she took my money,
Away boys, lift and walk away!

She spent my shining dollars like a queen,
Away boys, walk away together!
Her eye 'twas blacker than was ever seen,
Twice again for luck and better weather!

Sure I blowed my silver fortune for to win her,
Walk away boys, walk away!
And now there's nothing left but pork for dinner,
Away boys, lift and walk away!

To my beauty I bequeathed a golden comb,
Away boys, walk away together!
But trouble's over now the anchor's home.
Once again for luck and better weather!

We're bound afar and cookie's in the galley,
Walk away boys, walk away!
Fare thee well, young moon of all the Yangtse valley,
Away boys, lift and walk away!

Notes

From SAILOR WITH BANJO, by Hamish Maclaren, published by The Macmillan Co., NY, © 1930, p. 15.

SAILOR WITH BANJO is written in the form of a sailor's folk opera. Unfortunately, there is no clue to what Maclaren's tune to this poem may have been. There is also no record of this folk opera ever being produced.

This comment appears under the title of the poem:

(Words for one more old bold out-of-date air)

Maclaren also says in his Notes to Poems, p. 79, that:

"Strictly speaking, this type of song – from the shanty model – is, I suppose, now quite out of date; but personally I like to think that it has some life in it yet, and may note, in support of this whim, that I have myself helped to weigh anchor by hand, tramping round the capstan to music."

The header graphic is titled "Sing-Song Girl" and is drawn by shantysinger and sea song collector Stan Hugill, from his book entitled SAILORTOWN, © 1967.

Charley Noble

• By me, right now

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