The Yangtze River Shanty
Away-ay, boys, away-o! Blow me down this Yangtse River, Away, boys, lift and walk away! My lotus lady, I'll see no more,Ch: Away, boys, away-o! Since I left her on the China shore, Ch: Away, boys, lift and walk away! When we first met, she was like a queen, Prettiest little thing I'd ever seen She'd flashing eyes and long black hair, All I could do was stand and stare, I bought her silks and a golden comb, Trouble's over now, the anchor's home, I blowed my silver for to win her, Now there's nothing left but donkey's dinner, We're homeward bound, cookie's in the galley, Farewell, Young Moon, of the Yangtse Valley,
Source: As arranged by Charlie Ipcar
Source: From MacLaren's Sailor With Banjo (1930)
This song was adapted from Hamish MacLaren’s 1930 “folk opera” Sailor With Banjo. MacLaren entered the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth at the age of 12. After graduating, he was stationed for some years as a gunnery officer in Shanghai, at the mouth of the Yangtze. The lyrics were printed without melody, if they ever had one, but MacLaren noted:
Strictly speaking, this type of song – from the shanty model – is, I suppose, now quite out of date; but personally I like to think that it has some life in it yet, and may note, in support of this whim, that I have myself helped to weigh anchor by hand, tramping round the capstan to music.
More recently, Charlie Ipcar of Portland, Maine set the words to a combination of melodies related to Tommy's Gone to Hilo and Congo River. His arrangement has since been recorded by several groups including Ye Mariners All. Charlie provides more details about MacLaren’s life on his website.