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Row Bullies Row

by Roly Witherow

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about

Row Bullies Row is the first single off my album, "Ballads and Yarns" and was described by Folk Radio UK as "an evocative tribute to the crumbling British seaside town". The single is an art-folk-punk reworking of this traditional bawdy sea shanty, most famously recorded by Ewan MacColl.

Music Video by Beatrice Vorster: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiS0I7y12gQ&t=2s

lyrics

From Liverpool to Frisco a-roving I went
For to stay in that country it was my intent
But girls and strong whiskey like other damn fools,
I soon was transported back to Liverpool, singing

Row, row bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

I joined the Alaska lying out in the bay,
A-waiting a fair wind to get under way.
The sailors all drunk and their backs is all sore,
The whiskey’s all gone and they can't get no more, singing

Row, row bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

Along comes the mate with his jacket and shoes,
A-looking for work for the sailors to do.
It's "Ship tops and halyards!" he loudly does roar,
Saying "Lay aloft Paddy, ye son-of-a-whore!", singing

Row, row Paddy, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

One night off Cape Horn we were crossing the line,
When I think on it now we sure had a good time.
She was diving bows under, her sailors all wet,
She was doing twelve knots with her mainskys all set, singing

Row, row bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

A health to the Captain where'er he may be!
He's a friend to the sailor on land or on sea
But as for our first mate, that dirty ol' brute,
We hope when he dies straight to hell he'll sky hoot, singing

Row, row bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

And now we've arrived at the Bramley-Moore Dock
Where the fair maids and lasses around us will flock.
My whiskey's all gone and my six quid advance
And I think it's high time for to get up and dance, singing

Row, row bullies, row!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow!

credits

released April 24, 2020
Backing Vocals: Dave Marwood & Louis Thompson
Drums: Rafael dos Santos
Mixed by: Joao Noronha
Mastered by: Joe Caithness

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Roly Witherow image

Roly Witherow London, UK

My debut album "Ballads and Yarns", described by Folk Radio Uk as "21st Century Folk Music in all its glory" is out on the 8th of May. The album is a personal exploration of the folk tradition, including traditional songs and sea shanties, originals and recordings. ... more

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