A Long Time Ago

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Melody -
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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.

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