Sally Brown (B) – Robbins version

Interesting Facts about Sally Brown (B)

This I another “roll” shanty, the most famous “Roll an’ Go!”, also known as “Sally Brown”. This particular version of Sally Brown (B), from Cecil Sharp’s “English Folk-Chanteys” is a halyard 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! Robbins, Cecil Sharp’s shantyman, sang the following tune. He said he always used it at halyards.

The song will be reconstructed by myself as the halyard shanty.

The source of this sea shanty

The music: “English Folk-Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914).

The lyrics:  “English Folk-Chanteys” by Cecil Sharp (1914).

Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 165).

The Record of the Sally Brown (B)

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.

Sally Brown B (Robbins version) - Halyard Shanty

The musical notation

Sally Brown B - music notation

The full lyrics

Sally Brown (B) – Robbins version

I shipped on board of a Liverpool liner,
– WAY, ho, a ROLling go!
And I shipped on board of a Liverpool liner,
– For I SPEND my money ‘long with SALly Brown!

* 2 *

O Sally Brown was a Creole Lady
O Sally Brown was a Creole Lady

* 3 *

O Sally Brown was a bright mulatto
O Sally Brown was a bright mulatto

* 4 *

O seven years I courted Sally.
O seven years I courted Sally.

* 5 *

And now we’re married and we’re living nice and comfor’ble.
And now we’re married and we’re living nice and comfor’ble

Related to this sea shanty

Lowlands Low (Halyards)

Walk Me Along Johnny

Walk him along Johnny

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