Shanty for the Arethusa
Sailing Tales of Love and Intrigue: A Melodic Journey Unveiled
Lyrics
We set to sail on a packet full of spice, rum and tea-leaves.
We embarked on a ship loaded with valuable cargo like spices, rum, and tea.
We've emptied out all the bars and the bowery hotels.
We've consumed all the alcohol from various bars and budget hotels in the area.
Tell your daughters do not walk the streets alone tonight
Warning to advise your daughters not to walk the streets alone tonight.
Tell your daughters do not walk the streets alone tonight.
A repeated warning for daughters to avoid walking alone at night for emphasis or urgency.
To tell the tale of the jewess and the mandarin chinese boy
Describing a story involving a Jewish woman and a Chinese man.
He led her down from her gilded canopy of cloth.
He guided her away from her ornate, decorative covering.
And through her blindfold she could make out the figures there before her
Despite being blindfolded, she could perceive the figures around her.
And how the air was thick with incense, cardamom and myrrh.
The atmosphere was rich with the scents of incense, cardamom, and myrrh.
So goodnight, boys, goodnight
A farewell bid to the boys, signaling the end of the day or a departure.
Say goodnight, boys, goodnight
A repeated farewell to the boys, emphasizing closure or departure.
We set to sail on the clipper that's bound for South Australia
We began our journey on a fast-sailing ship heading for South Australia.
The weather's warm there, the natives are dark and nubile.
Describing the climate and people of South Australia as warm and indigenous.
But if you listen, quiet, you can hear the footsteps on the cross-trees
If one listens attentively, they can hear footsteps on the rigging of the ship.
The ghosts of sailors passed, their spectral bodies clinging to the shrouds.
Imagery of deceased sailors' spirits clinging to the ropes of the ship.
So goodnight, boys, goodnight
A final bid of goodnight to the boys, signaling the end of the narrative or journey.
Say goodnight, boys, goodnight
Repeatedly bidding goodnight to the boys, emphasizing closure or the end of an experience.
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