Interesting Facts about A-Rolling Down The River
Another ‘rolling river’ shanty is the A-Rolling Down The River, sung at capstan and pumps.
This is one of my first records, years ago, so the quality is not the best, but is an honest record. Melody and tempo have been taken from Stan Hugill’s “Sailing Days” album recorded with the band Stormalong John.
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 178).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 178, 179).
The Record of the A-Rolling Down The River
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-Rolling Down The River
Oh, the Arabella set her main tops’l,
The Arabella set her main tops’l,
The Arabella set her main tops’l,
A-rollin’ down the river.
– A-rol-ling down, a-rollin’ down,
– A-rol-lin’ down the river,
– A-rol-lin’ down, a-rollin’ down,
Said the bucko mate to the greaset’s wife,
– Oh, a pumpkin pudden an’ a bulgine pie,
– A pumpkin pudden an’ a bulgine pie,
– A pumpkin pudden an’ a bulgine pie,
– Abord the Arabella!
* 2 *
So the Arabella set her main gans’l,
* 3 *
So the Arabella set her main roy-al,
* 4 *
So the Arabella set her main skys’l,
* 5 *
So the Arabella set her main stays’l,