Interesting Facts about the A-Rovin’ (C)
The first thing I want to tell you about A-Rovin’ (C), is the fact that most verses given in print have been camouflaged beyond all recognition (because they have been too bawdy). Also, other verses are far too sentimental for Sailor John to have sung them. The following version, which I picked up in Port Adelaide, South Australia, has a genuine ring to it. This too omits the ‘Mark well’, etc., refrain, but uses the full tune.
Therefore two verses that are difficult to bowdlerize have been omitted!
The following versions of A-Rovin’ (C), given only by Terry and Sharp, is probably the older one—it has the jerkiness of all shanties which were sung at the earlier brake pumps and lever windlasses.
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 50).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 50).
The Record of the A-Rovin’ (C)
Still has too fast a tempo, may be okay for the first 10 minutes to work on pumps. Lyrics from Shanties from the Seven Seas, by Stan Hugill.
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 full lyrics
A-Rovin’ ( C ) – Pump Shanty
(alternate titles: Amsterdam or The Maid of Amsterdam)
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
An’ she wuz tall an’ fair.
Her eyes wuz blue, her lips wuz red,
For Salt John’s money, O, she had -a flair.
– I’ll go no more a-ro-o-vin’ with you fair maid.
– A-rovin’, a-rovin’,
– Since rovin’s bin my ru-i-in,
– We’ll go no more a-rovin’,
– With you fair maid.
* 2 *
One night I crept from my abode
But when it came to leavin’ her,
An’ I told her I must go,
She cried a bit, she cursed a bit,
An’ then she cried, ‘Here’s Holy Joe!’
* 3 *
The anchor’s up, our sails are set,
An’ we are homeward bound.
Another gal I never shall see,
Until we reach ol’ Plymouth Sound.