New York Girls
| "New York Girls (Can't You Dance the Polka)" | |
|---|---|
| Roud #486 | |
| Song | |
| Form | Sea shanty |
| Writer(s) | Traditional |
| Language | English |
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|
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
"New York Girls", also known as "Can't You Dance the Polka," is a traditional sea shanty.[1] It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 486.[2]
Lyrics
The lyrics have many variations, but almost all versions contain this chorus, sung after each verse:[3]
And away, you Santee,
My dear Annie,
Oh, you New York girls,
Can't you dance the polka?
An less common alternate chorus is:[4]
And away, you Johnny,
My dear honey,
Oh, you New York girls,
You love us for our money
The lyrics are often a cautionary tale of a sailor being tricked by a pretty girl, who ends up spending all of his money and, in some cases, robbing him. This is summed up in these verses found in some versions:[5]
So come all you bully sailormen, take warning when ashore
Or else you'll meet some charming girl who's nothing but a whore
Your hard-earned cash will disappear, your rig and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher than the other side of Hell.
Recordings
The song has been recorded by many artists:[2]
- Bob Roberts, in a BBC Archive recording by Peter Douglas Kennedy (1950s)
- Alan Mills, Songs of the Sea (1957)
- Ian Campbell Folk Group, New Impressions (1967)
- Steeleye Span with Peter Sellers, Commoners Crown (1975)
- Gordon Jones and Bob Thomas, Children in Need (1987)
- Cyril Tawney, Sailor's Delight (1990)
- Roberts and Barrand, Across the Western Ocean (2000)
- Steve Tilston, Of Many Hands (2005)
References
- ↑ Engle, David G.; Waltz, Robert B. (2016). "Can't You Dance the Polka (New York Girls)". Fresno State. California State University. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- 1 2 Zierke, Reinhard (November 7, 2015). "New York Girls / Can't You Dance the Polka". Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music. mainlynorfolk.info. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ↑ "New York Girls (Version 2)". Contemplator. contemplator.com. 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ↑ "New York Girls (Version 1)". Contemplator. contemplator.com. 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ↑ Anitra (2016). "Oh, You New York Girls". Anitra's Web. anitra.net. Retrieved August 13, 2016.