Interesting Facts about Sally Brown (A2)
This I another “roll” shanty, the most famous “Roll an’ Go!”, also known as “Sally Brown (A2)”. This is a capstan shanty, as Stan Hugill mentions it is only one theme of this song, and it is – all about Sally and her daughter. As the author of “Shanties from The Seven Seas” mentioned – there existed many obscene verses, which accounts partly for the fact that popularity never waned! Worth mentioning is the fact that most of the verses Stan Hugill has from my favored shantyman (due to his yelps), Harding Barabadaian the West Indian Seamen.
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 163).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 163, 164).
The Record of the Sally Brown (A2)
In this reconstruction, I will only sing two verses to show another version mentioned by Stan Hugill. The melody of this version differs from the previous ending.
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
Sally Brown (A2)
Ooh! Saly Brown she’s a bright mulatter,
– Way-hay, Roll an’ go!
She drinks rum an’ chaws terbacker,
– Spend my money on Sally Brown!
* 2 *
Sally lives on the old plantation,
She is daughter of the Wild Goose Nation.