Roll Down
Sailors' Odyssey: A Sea Shanty Tale of Love and Longing
Lyrics
Ye ladies of Ply-mouth, we bid you good-bye,
Addressing the women of Plymouth and bidding them farewell.
Roll-oll, roll-oll-oll down!
Repetition of "Roll down," possibly a nautical command or reference to the ship rolling on the waves.
We will rock you and roll you again by and by,
Expressing the intention to rock and roll again in the future.
Walk a-round, me brave boys, and roll down!
Instructing brave boys to walk around and roll down, implying a sense of movement or departure.
And we'll roll-oll, roll-oll-oll down,
Repetition of the command to roll down, reinforcing the theme of departure or sailing.
Walk a-round, me brave boys, and roll down!
Encouraging brave boys to walk around and roll down, emphasizing the collective action.
The anchor's away and the sails are unfurled,
Describing the departure – anchor away, sails unfurled, heading halfway around the world.
We're bound for to sail her halfway 'round the world,
Expressing the destination and the extensive journey ahead.
In the deep Bay of Biscay the seas do run high,
Depicting the challenges at the Bay of Biscay with high seas and the hardships of transports.
Them poor weary transports they'll wish they could die,
Portraying the transports' wish for relief from their weary state.
When the great southern whales on our quarter do spout,
Observing the great southern whales, possibly signifying the wonders and challenges of the journey.
Them poor weary transports, they'll goggle and shout,
Anticipating the transports' reactions to the majestic whales with excitement and surprise.
When at last we draw near to Australia's bold strand,
Approaching Australia and highlighting the transports' yearning for land.
Them poor weary transports, they'll long for the land,
Emphasizing the transports' longing for a stable ground as they draw near Australia.
Then, sweet ladies of Plymouth, we'll pay all your rent,
Promising to pay rent to the ladies of Plymouth upon return, suggesting a sense of gratitude.
And go roving no more till our money's all spent,
Committing to stop roving when money is spent, indicating a temporary end to the adventurous lifestyle.
And when we set sail for the old England’s shore
Announcing the plan to set sail for England, leaving the stranded transports behind.
The poor stranded transports will see them no more
Reflecting on the transports that will no longer be seen when returning to England.
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