“I'm Going To Cross the Sea”

Description

"I'm going to cross the sea, my love, Oh how I hate to start, I'll shake your hand in a long farewell, And then we have to part." "Sift your meal and save your bran, There's gonna be a wedding down in Alabam." "Slice your bread and butter fine...."

Notes

Although there are many songs with similar lines, there is no reason I can see (based on Randolph's fragmentary text) to link this with any other "Going Cross the Sea" song.

Thomas's text is similar in scope: Three stanzas, sharing the first few lines with Randolph's and then being mostly floating. She does not list it as a playparty, rather as a chantey -- but her clasifications are suspect. - RBW

References

1. Randolph 587, "I'm Going To Cross the Sea" (1 text)
2. Thomas-Makin', pp. 40-42, (no title) (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Roud #7674
4. BI, R587