Roll the Woodpile Down (https://open.spotify.com/track/7suOXESWF8R1wFD2uAYMh0)
Hugill says this probably originated in the southern states of America, perhaps being one of the many river men songs that reached deep water. He says it is the sea version of the Negro song “Haul the Woodpile Down†and it was popular right to the end of sail.
Oh, way down south where the cocks do crow
'Way down in Florida
Them gals they dance to the old banjo.
And we'll roll the woodpile down!
Rollin'! Rollin'! Rollin' the whole world 'round
That brown girl o' mine's down the Georgia Line
And we'll roll the woodpile down!
When I was a young man in me prime
I'd chase them pretty gals two at a time.
Oh rouse and bust 'er is the cry
A black man's wage is never high.
We'll roll him high and we'll roll him low
We'll heave him up and away we'll go.
O Curly goes on the old ran-tan
O Curly's just a down-east man.
O one more heave and that will do
We're the bullies for to kick 'er through.
The Exmouth Shanty Men are proud to be associated with
