| Music File 1 Barry Taylor Music File 2 Mark Johnson |
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| My father was a Navy captain and this was another one of his favorite songs. According to the Burl Ives Song Book "This song, first appearing in 1608 in a London play by Robert Heywood - 'The Rape of Lucrece' became very popular with colonial sailors." Stan Hugill discounts this. He notes some scholars claim it dates to Elizabethan times. Shore version of the song are found in Great Britian, Denmark, and France.*
As a shanty the song was at the pumps and windlass. |
In Amsterdam there lived a maid Mark you well what I say! In Amsterdam there lives a maid, And this fair maid my trust betrayed. Chorus I'll go no more a rovin, with you fair maid. A roving, A roving, since roving's been my ru-i-in, I'll go no more a roving, with you fair maid. Her eyes are like two stars so bright Mark you well what I say Her eyes are like two stars so bright, Her face is fair, her step is light. Chorus I asked this fair maid to take a walk, Mark well what I do say I asked this maid out for a walk That we might have some private talk. Chorus Then I took this fair maid's lily white hand, Mark well what I do say I took this fair maid's lily white hand In mine as we walked along the strand. Chorus Then I put my arm around her waist Mark well what I do say! For I put my arm around her waist And from her lips snatched a kiss in haste! Chorus Then a great big Dutchman rammed my bow Mark well what I do say For a great big Dutchman rammed my bow, And said, "Young man, dis bin mein vrow!" Chorus Then take warning boys, from me, Mark well what I do say! So take a warning, boys, from me, With other men's wives don't make too free. Chorus For if you do you will surely rue Mark well what I do say! For if you do you will surely rue Your act, and find my words come true. Chorus |
| From Book of Navy Songs and Shanties of the Seven Seas See Bibliography for full information. | |