Mobile Bay
Hugill suggest this probably started life as cotton hoosiers song down in the Gulf Ports (the Gulf of Mexico, not the Persian Gulf!). Mobile was one of those ports. The shanty was used at pumps and halyards.
Mobile Bay
From Bristol
town we sailed away
John come tell us, as we haul away
We were outward bound, for Mobil bay
John come tell us, as we haul away, Way, Hey, Hauley.
John come tell us as we haul away
And what did I do down, in Mobil bay?
John come tell us, as we haul away
I was screwin’ cotton all the day
John come tell us, as we haul away, Way, Hey, Hauley.
John come tell us, as we haul away
And who did I meet in Mobil bay?
John come tell us as we haul away
I met a flash girl, called Sally May
John come tell us, as we haul away, Way, Hey, Hauley
John come tell us, as we haul away
On that flash girl, I blew me pay!
John come tell us as we haul away
I married Sally down in, Mobil bay
John come tell us, as we haul away, Way, Hey, Hauley
John come tell us, as we haul away
And I lived there ‘appy for many’s the day
John come tell us, as we haul away
YES I lived there ‘appy for many’s the day
John come tell us, as we haul away, Way, Hey, Hauley
John come tell us, as we haul a-way, Way, Hey, Hauley
John come tell us as we haul away.
The Exmouth Shanty Men are proud to be associated with
