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The Shanty Book, Part I, Sailor Shanties

Part 1 — 4. Johnny come down to Hilo.

Reading edition

(WINDLASS AND CAPSTAN.)

[Listen]

Johnny come down to Hilo
Johnny come down to Hilo
Johnny come down to Hilo
Johnny come down to Hilo

1. I nebber see de like since I bin born, When a big buck nigger wid de sea boots on, Says "Johnny come down to Hilo. Poor old man." Oh wake her, oh, shake her, Oh wake dat gel wid de blue dress on, When Johnny comes down to Hilo. Poor old man.

2. I lub a little gel across de sea, She's a Badian[1] beauty and she sez to me, "Oh Johnny," etc.

3. Oh was you ebber down in Mobile Bay Where dey screws de cotton on a summer day? When Johnny, etc.

4. Did you ebber see de ole Plantation Boss And de long-tailed filly and de big black hoss? When Johnny, etc.

sixteenth
sixteenth
sixteenth
sixteenth

5. I nebber seen de like since I bin born When a big buck nigger wid de sea boots on, Says "Johnny come down," etc.

Notes in this chapter

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

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