Margaret Evans (Clear the track)

Statek, którym Norwid płynął do Nowego Jorku, był w XIX wieku dobrze znanym środkiem transportu. Oto hasło z Wikipedii i poświęcona mu tradycyjna pieśń żeglarska:

The Margaret Evans was a London packet ship (sailing between New York and London on a regular schedule). She was 899 tons, built 1846 in New York by Westervelt & MacKay and owned by E.E. Morgan. She continued sailing into the 1860s. The ship is celebrated in the chanty "Clear the track", also called "Clear the track, let the bullgine run" or simply "Margaret Evans". As many sailors signed on many different ships within their lives, they brought their songs along with them and many melodies and words were adapted and exchanged. Thats why remarkable derivations of "Clear the track", that originally was written about the "Margaret Evans", can be found (for further informations see "here" - accessed March 30, 2009). Thus, the music was passed on to more and more people.

The chanty was f.e. recorded by Alan Mills, by Gilbert Lacombe and by Four Shipmates (Musical group). You can listen to a sample of Alan Mills version of that chanty on the Website of "Smithsonian Global Sound" (accessed March 30, 2009).

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Clear the track (lyrics)

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O the smartest clipper you can find

A ho way ho are you 'most done

Is the Margeret Evans of the Blue Cross Line

So clear the track let the bullgine run

To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car

A ho way ho are you 'most done

With Liza Lee all on my knee

So clear the track let the bullgine run

O the Margeret Evans of the Blue Cross Line

A ho way ho are you 'most done

She's never a day behind her time

So clear the track let the bullgine run

O we're outward bound for New York Town

A ho way ho are you 'most done

Them bowery gals we'll waltz around

So clear the track let the bullgine run

When we've stowed our freight at the West Street Pier

A ho way ho, are you 'most done

It's home to Liverpool then we'll steer

So clear the track let the bullgine run

O them bowery gals will give us fun

A ho way ho, are you 'most done

Chatham Street dives is home from home

So clear the track let the bullgine run

When we all get back to Liverpool town

A ho way ho are you 'most done

I'll stand ye whiskies all around

So clear the track let the bullgine run

O heave a pawl O bear a hand

A ho way ho are you 'most done

Just one more pull and make her stand

So clear the track let the bullgine run

O Liza Lee will you be mine

A ho way ho are you 'most done

I'll dress you up in silk so fine

So clear the track let the bullgine run

To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car

A ho way ho are you 'most done

With Liza Lee all on my knee

So clear the track let the bullgine run

And when I'm home again from sea,

A -ho, way-ho, are you 'most done

Oh Liza, you shall marry me

So clear the track let the bullgine run

To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car

A -ho, way-ho, are you 'most done

With Liza Lee all on my knee

So clear the track let the bullgine run

I'll stay with you upon the shore

A -ho, way-ho, are you 'most done

And back to sea will go no more

So clear the track let the bullgine run

To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car

A-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done

With Liza Lee all on my knee

So clear the track let the bullgine run.

Źródło:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Song_about_the_Margaret_Evans