<\/p>\n
Robbie T. Hutchison \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0SA1974.11.12\u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
This well known Royal Navy song was originally sung (so Roy Palmer tells us \u2013 p. 125), on ships homeward bound from the Mediterranean but it was later adopted by other seamen, including whaling men, as a capstan shanty. Roud. no. 687.<\/p>\n
Farewell and adieu to you Spanish ladies;<\/em> For we’ll rant and we’ll rove like true British sailors;<\/em> Oh we hove our ship to with the wind at sou’west, boys;<\/em>
\nFarewell and adieu all you ladies of Spain,<\/em>
\nFor it’s we have received orders to return to old England,<\/em>
\nBut we hope in a short time to see you again.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWe’ll rant and we’ll rove across the salt sea<\/em>
\nUntil we strike soundings in the Channel of old England;<\/em>
\nFrom\u00a0 Ushant to the Scillies is thirty-five leagues.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWe hove our ship to and good soundings got we;<\/em>
\nWe had forty-five fathoms and a white sandy bottom;<\/em>
\nThen we squared our main-yards and up channel bore we.<\/em><\/p>\n