Video

The Capstan Chantey “Johnny Come Down to Hilo”

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Transcript

Hello, my name is Peter Kasin, a ranger at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, bringing you another the series of sheltered-in chanteys. This one used at the capstan, it's called "Johnny Come Down to Hilo. Feel free to sing along on the chorus.

I never seen the jokes since I been born An Arkansas farmer with sea boots on

Chorus: Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

Oh, wake her, oh shake her,. Oh, wake that gal with the blue dress on

Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

I got a gal across the sea. She's a 'Badian beauty and she says to me

Chorus: Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

Oh, wake her, oh shake her. Oh, wake that gal with the blue dress on Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

Wuz you ever down in Mobile Bay. A-screwin' cotton for a dollar as day

Chorus: Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

Oh, wake her, oh shake her. Oh, wake that gal with the blue dress on Johnny come down to hilo, poor old man

Fetch me down my ridin' cane. I'm off to see my sweetheart Jane

Chorus: Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

Oh wake her, oh shake her. Oh, wake that gal with the blue dress on Johnny come down to Hilo, poor old man

Those Hilo gals they dress so fine. They ain't got Jesus on their mind

Chorus: Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

Oh, wake her, oh shake her. Oh wake that gal with the blue dress on Johnny come down to Hilo, oh poor old man

(Little "Yes Man") I couldn't agree with you more completely!

Description

Join Ranger Kasin in singing "Johnny Come Down to Hilo,” a capstan chantey employed while weighing anchor or hoisting sail.

Duration

2 minutes, 5 seconds

Credit

Peter Kasin

Date Created

07/06/2020

Copyright and Usage Info