“Stormy Weather Boys”
Description
Adventures of a barge crew on the Thames. The captain arrives half-drunk; the crew gets sozzled, the barge runs aground. They meet a mermaid and a ghost (who takes the wheel); eventually they arrive at Yarmouth and wind up in "The Druid's Arms"
Long description
Adventures of a barge crew on the Thames. The captain comes aboard half-drunk; the crew gets sozzled and the barge runs aground. They encounter a mermaid ("Up jumped a mermaid covered with muck/We took her down the fo'c'sle and had a good time") and a ghost (who takes the wheel); eventually they arrive at Yarmouth and wind up in "The Druid's Arms." Chorus: "Stormy weather boys, stormy weather boys/When the wind blows our barge will go"
Notes
Not having heard this sung, I can't prove it's a parody of "Windy Old Weather" -- but the meter and lyrics both say it is. - RBW
I don't think so, despite the lyrical similarities. "Windy Old Weather" is sung in waltz time, while this is 4/4. - PJS
Cross references
- cf. Windy Old Weather" (meter)
- cf. "The E-ri-e" (theme) and references there
Recordings
- Bob Roberts, "Stormy Weather Boys" (on LastDays)
References
- Creighton-Maritime, pp. 144-145, "Stormy Weather Boys" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, STRMYWTH
- Roud #1851
- BI, DTstrmyw