Shanghaiing refers to the practice of kidnapping men to serve as - TopicsExpress



          

Shanghaiing refers to the practice of kidnapping men to serve as sailors when a ship needed replacement hands. The crimps usually drugged or got the poor fellows drunk and when they woke up they were already at sea. Many of these unfortunate souls were landsmen who had never been on board a ship. Here is a shanty about the often dreadful consequences of the practice: BILLY OSHEA Oh, we all got drunk in Dublin City Fall down, me Billy We all got drunk and more’s the pity Fall down, Billy OShea Fall down, fall down Fall down, me Billy Were bound away for Americay Fall down, Billy OShea We laid down drunk on Rogersons quay And when we awoke we were out to sea. “Oh, we are no sailors, Captain dear.” “And are least inclined to reef or steer.” Well the Captain says, Ive a cure for that! “And here for a start is a dose of the cat. He sent him up to the top mast yard When he hit the deck, well, he hit it hard. We wrapped him up in a canvas sail And gently lowered him oer the rail. And over the side and down he goes To Davy Jones with a stitch through his nose. Farewell, farewell, farewell, me Billy For we’re bound away for Americay Farewell Billy O’Shea.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:12:00 +0000

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