Interesting Facts about Rio Grande (C)
The possible origin of the “Patterson” version; Rio Grande (C) from Hugill’s book is possibly dated to the XVIII century. In the sheet music from the Lester Levy Collection; “Nobody Ask’d You” is undated; but the music includes the notation at the top that it was “printed and sold at Carrs Music Store Baltimore.” Benjamin Carr (1760-1831) was a composer; organist, and music publisher who was born in London but came to the United States in 1793. He ran a number of stores, but his Baltimore store closed in 1822 and he left the publishing business entirely in 1831. Any music printed by him would have dated prior to 1831.
“Rio Grande” was always sung at the anchor capstan or windlass, and was an outward-bound song.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 90).
The lyrics: “The Sea’s Anthology” – John Edward Patterson (1913).
The Record of the Rio Grande (C)
This song will be sung as a capstan shanty.
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
Rio Grande C – (Patterson version)
Oh, where are ye goin’ to, my pretty maid?
– Way for Rio!
I’m going a milkin’, kind sir, she said.
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande,
– Then away, bullies away!
– Way for Rio!
– Stead o’ milkin’ her cow, She wuz courtin’ her boy
– An’ we’re bound for the Rio Grande
* 2 *
Oh, have ye a sweatheart, my pretty maid?
‘I’m lookin’ for one, kind sir,’ she said.
* 3 *
Then may I come wid ye, my pretty maid?
‘Well, yes, since ye axed me, sir,’ she said.
* 4 *
‘But I guess yer a bad one, kind sir,’ she said.
‘Ye want for to love me, but yer dont’t want ter wed,’
* 5 *
Jack took her in tow, an’ away they did go,
The bulls did a grunt, an’ the cows did a low.
* 6 *
They came to a haystack but the maid she wuz shy,
They backed and they filled an’ heaved many a sigh.
* 7 *
The haystack capsized an’ Jack got all bent,
With hay in his gaff-tops’l, his breeches all rent.
* 8 *
So he left her a-sittin’ a-lookin’ forlorn,
An’ shipped ro the south’ard away round Cape Horn.
* 9 *
Now, all ye young sailors that round the Horn sail,
Don’t take a young milkmaid away from her pail.
* 10 *
Or else ye’ll regret it an’ wish ye were dead,
So don’t go a-courtin’ in a haystack for a bed.