Bully in the Alley

Bully in the Ally is a traditional sea shanty with origins likely linked to the West Indies or the American South, specifically among dockworkers and sailors . It’s a halyard shanty, meaning it was sung to coordinate work on the ship’s ropes, and its lyrics often tell stories of sailors ashore, sometimes involving drinking and getting left behind. The term “bully” in this context likely refers to someone who is drunk or incapacitated, while “Shinbone Alley” was a real place in some ports, possibly a street known for its brothels. 

[chorus]
So, help me, Bob, I’m bully in the alley

Way, hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I’m bully in the alley

Bully down in Shinbone Al’

 

Well, Sally is the girl that I love dearly

Way, hey, bully in the alley

Sally is the girl that I’d splice nearly

Bully down in Shinbone Al’ 

[chorus]

 

For seven long years I courted Sally 

All she did was dilly-dally

I bought her silks, I bought her laces 

I took her out to all the fine places

[chorus]

 

Well, I’ll leave Sal and I−ll be a sailor

I’ll leave Sal and ship aboard a whaler

When I get back I’ll marry Sally
We’ll have kids and count them by the tally

[chorus]