New York Girls also known as Can’t you dance the Polka, was a popular capstan shanty on both British and American ships. It was collected by W.B Whall in the 1860’s, and has been recorded by many artists over the years.
1. [LEAD]
As I walked down the Broadway one evening last July
I met a maid who asked me trade and a sailor lad says
I
And away Santee, My Dear Annie
Oh, you New York girls, can’t you dance the polka?
2. [LEAD]
To Tiffany’s I took her, I didn’t mind expense
I bought her a pair of gold earrings and they cost me fifteen cents
[chorus]
3. [UPPER]
And she says, ‘You Limejuice sailor, now see me home you may’
[LEAD]
But when we reached her cottage door she this to me did say
[chorus]
4. [UPPER]
My flash man he’s a Yankee with his hair cut short behind
He wears a pair of black sea-boots and he sails in the Blackball
Line
[chorus]
5. [UPPER]
He’s homeward bound this evening and with me he will stay
So get a move on, sailor-boy, get cracking on your way
[chorus]
6. [LEAD]
Then I wrapped me glad rags round me and to the docks did steer
I will never court another girl, I’ll stick to rum and beer
[chorus]
7. [LEAD]
I joined a Yankee blood-boat and sailed away next morn
[LOWER]
Don’t mess around with women boys, you’re safer round Cape
Horn
[chorus x2]