An English song that has American and Canadian versions equally as popular today, and many more variations besides.\u00a0 It is also sometimes referred to as “Yankee Whalermen”, and other people include verses with references to the harbour in New Bedford, or along the Massachusetts coast, or whatever.<\/p>\n
The song “Spanish Ladies” was registered in the English<\/a>\u00a0Stationer’s Company;<\/a> 14 December 1624.<\/sup> It appears again in the 1796 logbook of HMS Nellie; it has been postulated that the mention in the Nellie<\/i>‘s logbook is proof that the song as we know it was created during the War of the First Coalition<\/a> (1793\u201396), when the Royal Navy carried supplies to Spain, who at this time was an ally to Britain against France. \u00a0The ballad gained general popularity within many Naval circles but crossed over to the merchant service and even reformed as a homeward-bound chantey sung while stomping ’round the capstan, and one reference stating that it found itself as a pumping chantey, as well.\u00a0 In the time honoured tradition, different people utilized different lyrics and even wrote some of their own.\u00a0 Below is how Cliff presents the song.<\/sup><\/p>\n Jos. Morneault<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Farewell and adieu to you Spanish ladies Chorus:<\/p>\n .\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true Yankee Whalermen<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n Well, I\u2019ve been a sea cook and I\u2019ve been a whalerman Chorus:<\/p>\n I went to a dance last night in old Tomby. Chorus:<\/p>\n Come all you young men; drink up your full bumper. Chorus:<\/p>\n Farewell and adieu to you Spanish ladies Final Chorus:<\/p>\n
\nFarewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain
\nFor we’ve received orders to sail for New England
\nAnd we hope for to see you in a short time again.<\/p>\n
\n.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0We’ll rant and we’ll roar on deck and below<\/em><\/strong>
\n.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Until we sight Gayhead off old Martha’s Vineyard<\/em><\/strong>
\n.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0And straight up the channel to New Bedford we’ll go.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI can dance, I can sing, I can walk a jibboom.
\nI can handle the harpoon and cut a fine figure
\nWhenever I\u2019m up in a ship\u2019s standing room<\/p>\n
\nThere were plenty of girls there as fine as you wish.
\nThere was one pretty maiden a chewin’ tobacco
\nJust like a young kitten a chewin’ fresh fish.<\/p>\n
\nCome all you young men; drink up your full bowl.
\nLet\u2019s drink, and be merry, and drown melancholy.
\nHere\u2019s a health to each jovial and true hearted soul!<\/p>\n
\nFarewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain
\nFor we’ve received orders to sail for New England
\nAnd we hope for to see you in a short time again.<\/p>\n