“Jolly Sailors Bold (I)”

Description

The singer ridicules farmers on land and compares their easy life with the dangers faced by sailors. But "we'll sail into all parts of the world ... And we'll bring home all prizes ... We spend our money freely, And go to sea for more?

Notes

Mackenzie: "The source of this song, and of a great many similar ones, is the famous broadside 'Ye Gentlemen of England, or When the Stormy Winds Do Blow,' composed by Martin Parker, and first issued about 1635."

This is a sailor's version of "Maids of Simcoe" (it has the same Roud number). It is also "Ye Gentlemen of England (I)" [Laws K2], but without a disaster of any kind. - BS

Cross references

• cf. "Maids of Simcoe (Ontario)" (theme)
• cf. "Ye Gentlemen of England (I)" [Laws K2]
• cf. "Dixie Brown" [Laws D7] (lyrics)

References

1. Mackenzie 95, "Jolly Sailors Bold" (1 text)
2. Roud #3289
3. BI, Mack095