Interesting Facts about the Eliza Lee
“Eliza Lee” also known as “Clear The Track Let The Bulgine Run”, is another song with the word “bulgine”. This is capstan shanty, it has almost the same tune as an Irish folk song “Shule Agra”, but the refrains have definitely Negro influence. The song is a typical mixture of Irish and Negro sentiments and is one of the so many shanties that passed through the shanty mart of Mobile.
This song will be reconstructed as the halyard shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 345).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 345, 346).
The Record of the Eliza Lee
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
Eliza Lee
Oooh! the smartest packet ye can find,
– Ah ho! way ho! are ye mos’ done?
Is the ol’ “Wild Cat” of the Swallow Tail line,
– Soo! clear the track an’ let the bulgine run!
– Timme high rig-a-jig in a jauntin’ car,
– Ah ho! way ho! are ye mos’ done?
– Wid Eliza Lee all on my knees,
– Soo! clear the track an’ let the bulgine run!
* 2 *
Oooh, the ol’ Wild Cat of the Swallowtail Line,
She’s never a day behind her time,
* 3 *
Oooh, we’re outward bound for New York town,
Them Bowery gals we’ll waltz around.
* 4 *
When we’re stowed our freight at the West Street Pier,
We’ll be homeward bound to our Liverpool beer.
* 5 *
Oooh, them Bowery gals will give us fun,
Chatham Street dives is home from home.
* 6 *
Oooh, the gals are walkin’ on the pier,
Let’s all go ashore an’ have some beer.
* 7 *
Oooh, them gals are walkin’ on the strand,
Oh, heave a pawl, oh, bear a hand.
* 8 *
Oooh, wake her, shake her afore we’re done,
Oh, wake thst gal wid the blue dress on.
* 9 *
When we all gits back to Liverpool town,
I’ll stand ye whiskies all around.
* 10 *
Oooh, in Liverpool town them gals hang round,
An’ there me Liza will be found.
* 11 *
Oooh, when I gits home across the sea,
Eliza, will you marry me?