Interesting Facts about the Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling
The “Thoms Gone To Hilo” was a halyard shanty usually sang for raise a topsails yards, and one that was never liked by mats because sung by a good shantyman slowed down the pulls, due to the lethargic nature in which the shanties are sung. Difficult song for shantymen, however very popular with the crowd, especially for heavy yard lifts. This is the theme from the singing of Bill Dowling of Bootle.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 261).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 262, 263).
The Record of the Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling
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
Toms Gone To Hilo – Bill Dowling
Tommy’s gone on a whalin’-ship,
– A-WAY you I-lo!
Oh, Tommy’s gone on a damn long trip.
– TOM’s gone to HI-lo!
* 2 *
He never kissed his gal goodbye,
He left her an’ he told her why.
* 3 *
She’d robbed him blind an’ left him broke,
He’d had enough, gave her the poke.
* 4 *
His half-pay went, it went like chaff,
She hung around for the other half.
* 5 *
She drank an’ boozed his pay away,
With her weather-eye on his next pay-day.
* 6 *
He shipped away around Cape Horn.
His clothes an’ boots wuz in the pawn.
* 7 *
This tart will get another flame,
Aye, she will git him just the same.
* 8 *
Steer clear, me boys, of flash chowlahs,
They’ll make ye wiser than ye are!
* 9 *
Oh, Tommy’s gone an’ left her flat,
Oh, Tommy’s gone an’ he won’t come back.