Victoria Nautical Song Circle's
March 2002 Song Of The Month


CAN'T YE DANCE THE POLKA

(Capstan Shanty)

As I walked down the Broadway
One evenin' in July,
I met a maid who asked me trade,
An' a sailor John says I...
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
To Tiffany's I took her
I did not mind expense,
I bought her two gold earrings
An' they cost me fifteen cents
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
Says she "you lime juice sailor,
Now see me home you may."
But when we reached her cottage door,
She unto me did say...
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
"My flash man, he's a Yankee,
Wid his hair cut short behind,
He wears a pair of long seaboots,
An' he's bosun in the Blackball Line."
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
"He's homeward bound this evenin',
An' wid me he will stay.
So get a move on, sailor-boy,
Get crackin' on yer way."
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
So I kissed her hard an' proper,
Afore her flash man came.
An' fare-ye-well, me Bowery gal,
I know yer little game.
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
I wrapped me glad rags 'round me,
An' to the docks did steer.
I'll never court another maid,
I'll stick to rum an' beer.
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 
I joined a Yankee bloodboat,
An' sailed away next morn.
Don't ever fool around wid gals,
Yer safer off Cape Horn.
 
  Then away, you santee,
  My dear Annie
  Oh, ye New York girls,
  Can't ye dance the polka?
 

Taken from "Shanty Seattle".


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