> A.L. Lloyd > Songs > The Sailboat Malarkey

The Sailboat Malarkey

[Frederick McQueen]

This boat-launching shanty was sung by A.L. Lloyd on the compilations Sea Shanties and Sailors' Songs & Sea Shanties. It is unknown who sings chorus. A.L. Lloyd said in the latter album's sleeve notes:

The tune and most of the words come from the Bahamas, from the singer Frederick McQueen. In the Bahamas it's mostly used for boat-launching, but it serves equally well for capstan work. “Malarkey” here is a mispronounciation of “Malachi”.

Lyrics

Please tell me, what is this sailboat's name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey
Tell me now, what is this good boat's name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey

Who is the man then who built this fine boat?
It's the sailboat Malarkey
Richardson, Richardson built this fine boat
It's the sailboat Malarkey

Well now, me boys, we are bound out to sea
In the sailboat Malarkey
Windward Caroline come down to me
In the sailboat Malarkey

She's lovely aloft and she's lovely below
Is the sailboat Malarkey
But she's best on her back as you very well know
Oh that sailboat Malarkey

The blackbirds sang and the crow did caw
On the sailboat Malarkey
For to set this sail be up half past four
On the sailboat Malarkey

Away, away in St George's town
In the sailboat Malarkey
The rats come batting the houses down
Oh the sailboat Malarkey

I'd give the world, boys, and all that I know
In the sailboat Malarkey
To turn and roll with me Lucy-oh
In the sailboat Malarkey

You pick her up, boys, and lay her down
In the sailboat Malarkey
And hang on tight as she bounces around
In the sailboat Malarkey

Tell me, what is that sailboat's name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey
Tell me, tell me, what is her name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey

Acknowledgements

Transcribed by Reinhard Zierke.