Interesting Facts about the A-Rovin’ (A2)
A-Rovin’ (A2) is a version taken from “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill, name of the version is: A-Rovin’ (a), is printed on page 46 (US Edition published in 1994 by Mystic Seaport). But the beginning of this melody is from the first edition of the book from the beginning of page 50 (between versions b and c, ok I know it sounds complicated, haha but it’s true). W. B. Whall, Master Mariner in his “Ships, Sea Songs and Shanties (Glasgow, James Brown & Son, Publishers, 1910), mentioned that: “The motive of this favorite sea song is very old indeed, and appears (in slightly varying forms) in many writings, e.g., in Thomas Heywood’s Rape of Lucrece (first performed in London in 1630).
A-Rovin was originally sung at the pumps and old-fashioned windlass. In both labors – at the pump and the windlass – two long leavers were worked up and down by the men: a back-breaking job. … Stan Hugill.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the pump shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 48, 49).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 48, 49).
The Record of the A-Rovin’ (A2)
NOTE! – this tempo is a little too fast for work on pumps, the next version will be slightly slower much closer to actual work on “Downton – pump”.
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The musical notation
The full lyrics
A-Rovin’ (A2)
(alternate titles: Amsterdam or The Maid of Amsterdam)
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
And she was mistress of her trade
We’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you fair maid
– A-rovin’, a-rovin’, since rovin’s bin me overthrow,
– We’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you fair maid
* 2 *
One night I crept from my abode
To meet this fair maid down the road.
We’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid.
– A-rovin’, a-rovin’, since rovin’s bin me overthrow,
– We’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you fair maid
* 3 *
I met this fair maid after dark,
An’ took her to her favourite park.
* 4 *
I took this fair maid for a walk,
An’ we had such a lovin’ talk.
* 5 *
I put me arm around her waist,
Sez she, ‘Young man, yer in great haste!’
* 6 *
I put me hand upon her knee,
Sez she, ‘Young man, yer rather free!’
* 7 *
I put me hand upon her thigh,
Sez she, ‘Young man, yer rather high!’
* 8 *
I towed her to the Maiden’s Breast,
From south the wind veered wes’sou’west [sou’sou’west].
* 9 *
An’ the eyes in her head turned east an’ west,
And her thoughts wuz as deep as an ol’ sea-chest.
* 10 *
We had a drink—of grub a snatch,
We sent two bottles down the hatch.
* 11 *
Her dainty arms wuz white as milk,
Her lovely hair wus soft as silk.
* 12 *
Her heart wuz poundin’ like a drum,
Her lips wuz red as any plum.
* 13 *
We laid down on a grassy patch,
An’ I felt such a ruddy ass.
* 14 *
She pushed me over on me back,
She laughed so hard her lips did crack.
* 15 *
She swore that she’d be true to me,
But spent me pay-day fast and free.
* 16 *
In three weeks’ time I wuz badly bent,
Then off to sea I sadly went.