Roseabella

Cecil Sharp collected this from John Short of Watchet in 1914. Sharp published 47 of Short's shanties - but not this one. Tom Brown found the manuscript and, with Barbara Brown recorded Rosabella on the North Devon Maritime Museum's cassette "Over The Bar" in 1979. They then gave it to Johnny Collins & Jim Mageean. John Short is said to be the only shantyman ever to get an obituary in The London Times. He was also town crier at Watchet for a long time. Watchet was an ancient Bristol Channel port. Rivalry between fishermen and coastal sailors towards deepwater or salt sea sailors was intense. Many young men would volunteer to go deep sea - hence down to board. "Rosabella" is believed to have been a barque, Portuguese or Spanish built. From Watchet she could load finished goods, livestock, bricks, wool or machinery. Watchet’s port silted up and was replaced by Bristol and Avonmouth.

The Roseabella

Oh, we're going on board the Roseabella
Oh, we're going on board the Roseabella
We're going on board, right down to board
The saucy Roseabella

Farewell ye ladies of London town
Farewell ye ladies of London town
We hate to leave, but we're going on down
To board the Roseabella

She's a deep water ship with a deep water crew
She's a deep water ship with a deep water crew
She could hug the shore, but damned if we do
Aboard the Roseabella

Around Cape Horn where the dolphins play
Around Cape Horn where the dolphins play
Around Cape Horn is a mighty long way
Aboard the Roseabella

Pretty Nancy is my love true
Pretty Nancy is my love true
She could handle this bully crew
Aboard the Roseabella

Nancy brought whiskey for all the crew
Nancy brought whiskey for all the crew
She wanted to see which man would do
Aboard the Roseabella