> The Watersons > Songs > Blue Murder: Bully in the Alley

Bully in the Alley

[ Roud 8287 ; Ballad Index Hug522 ; trad.]

Blue Murder sang Bully in the Alley in 2002 on their album No One Stands Alone. ‘Bully’ here seems to be not a ruffian but the state of being passed out drunk.

Lyrics

Chorus (repeated after each verse):

So! Help me Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Way-ay, hay-ay, bully in the alley
So! Help me Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Bully down in Shinbone Al

Well, Sally is a girl that I loved dearly
Way-ay, ay-ay, bully in the alley
Well, Sally is the girl that I spliced nearly
Bully down in Shinbone Al

When I get to Saint Lou, I'm gonna steer for my Sally
Way-ay, ay-ay, bully in the alley
I'll throw her a line and make fast in her alley
Bully down in Shinbone Al

I'm gonna make damn sure nobody ties up at her quay
Way-ay, hay-ay, bully in the alley
She told me that this mooring was just for me
Bully down in Shinbone Al

When it's time to leave, I'm gonna slip my cable
Way-ay, hay-ay, bully in the alley
Gonna visit my Sal as often as I'm able
Bully down in Shinbone Al

I'm gonna leave my Sal and go out a-sailing
Way-ay, hay-ay, bully in the alley
Gonna leave my gal and go out a-whaling
Bully down in Shinbone Al

2* Chorus

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Lester Simpson, Georgina Boyes and Roberto Campo for the lyrics.