A Long Time Ago

Long Drag Shanty
Left: Traditional
Right: Stanton H. King, King's Book of Chanties, 1918

A long, long time, and a long time ago, To me way, hay, o-hio! A long, long time, and a long time ago, A long time ago! 2. A smart Yankee packet lay out in the bay, To me way, hay, o-hio! Awaiting for a fair wind to get under way, A long time ago! 3. With all her poor sailors sick and all sad, To me way, hay, o-hio! For they'd drunk all their whiskey, no more could be had, A long time ago! 4. She was waiting for a fair wind to get under way, To me way, hay, o-hio! If she hasn't had a fair wind she's lying there still. A long time ago!

A dollar a day is a stevedore's pay To me way ha ha yah! Dollar a day, I heard them say, And a long time ago. 2. I bought in Hong Kong a pretty silk dress, To me way ha ha yah! I'm taking it home to my sweetheard Bess, And a long time ago. 3. My Bess is fair and sweet to view, To me way ha ha yah! Her hair is brown and her eyes are blue, And a long time ago. 4. I thought I heard our second mate say, To me way ha ha yah! One more pull, and then belay, And a long time ago.