Interesting Facts about The Gals O’ Chile
The Gals O’ Chile is an outward-bound capstan anchor shanty and a version is also to be found in Captain Robinson’s collection; Miss Colcord also gives it, but she had it from Captain Robinson. He gives it the title of “Hero Bangidero”, his first and third refrains being “To my hero Bangidero”, but this refrain, on his own admission, was never sung – being bawdy, it has been camouflaged by Stan Hugill.
This song will be reconstructed as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53). Stan Hugill left a record on his album: “A Salty Fore Topman” where singing with Stormalong John, and this is the version that I try to replicate.
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 53, 54).
The Record of The Gals O’ Chile
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
The Gals O’ Chile
To.. Chile’s coast we are bound away
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
To.. Chile’s coast we are bound away
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
We are bound away, at the break o’day,
Where they little Spanish gals are so bright an’gay,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals! (spanish -> dago)
* 2 *
An’ when we get to Vallipo,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
An’ when we get to Vallipo,
– We’ll all drink lots of vino!
Dance the gals up the street with a roll-‘n’-go,
Grab ’em round the middle an’ we won’t let go.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!
* 3 *
Them gals o’Chile, they are hard to beat.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them gals o’Chile, they are hard to beat.
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
From truck to keel they are trim an’ sweet,
They’re all a-pullin’ on the ol’ main-sheet.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!
* 4 *
Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them senioritas, they are smart and gay,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They dance an’ drink till the break o’ day,
Then clean ye out an’ blow yer pay.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!
* 5 *
Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Rosita, Anna, and Carmen too,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They’ll greet ye with a hullabaloo,
An’ soon ye’ll know what they can do.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!
* 6 *
My trim little frigate is very smart(sharp) craft,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
My trim little frigate is very smart craft,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
She’s armed to the teeth both fore ‘n’ aft,
Sharp at the bows with a fine view abaft.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!
* 7 *
Them ol’ senyoras, as we know well,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
Them ol’ senyoras, as we know well,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
They’re red-hot divils from the other side o’ hell,
An’ ye’ll niver get a chance for to ring a Chile belle.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!
* 8 *
When the time comes for to sing farewell,
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
When the time comes for to sing farewell,
– (An’) we’ll dance an all drink pis-co!
Goodbye to the gals an’ our money as well,
Callyo, Caquimbo, an’ ol’ Corynel.
– Timme heave-ho, hang’er Hi-lo!
– Sing olay for them dago gals!