Victoria Nautical Song Circle's
July 2004 Song Of The Month


ROLL ALABAMA ROLL

(Halliard Shanty)
When the Alabama's keel was laid,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
It was laid in the yards of Jonathon Laird.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 
It was laid in the yards of Jonathon Laird,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
It was laid in the town of Birkenhead.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 
Down Mersey way she sailed then,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
To destroy the commerce of the north.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 
To Cherbourg harbor she sailed one day,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
To collect her share of prize money.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 
Many a sailor saw his doom,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
When the Yankee Kearsarge hove into view.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 
A shot from the for'ard pivot that day,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
Blew the Alabama's steering gear away.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 
Off the 3-mile limit in '64,
Roll, Alabama, roll!
She sank to the bottom of the ocean floor.
Roll, Alabama, roll!
 

Taken from “Shanty Seattle”.


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