New York Girls", also known as "Can't You Dance the Polka," is a traditional sea shanty. [1] It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 486. [2] It was collected by W. B. Whall in the 1860s. [3] It was printed in 1910 in "Ships, Sea Songs and Shanties". An earlier book "Sailors' Songs or Chanties", first edition 1887, by Davis and Tozer contains a version, but does not specify when it was collected.
The lyrics have many variations, but almost all versions contain this chorus, sung after each verse: [4]
And away, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York girls
Can't you dance the polka?
A less common alternate chorus is: [5]
And away, you Johnny
My dear honey
Oh, you New York girls
You love us for our money
The lyrics are often a cautionary tale of a sailor being tricked by a pretty girl who spends all of his money and in some cases robs him. This is summed up in these verses found in some versions: [6]
So come all you bully sailormen, take warning when ashore
Or else you'll meet some charming girl who's nothing but a whore
Your hard-earned cash will disappear, your rig and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher than the other side of Hell
The song has been recorded by many artists: [2]
New York Girls", also known as "Can't You Dance the Polka," is a traditional sea shanty. [1] It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 486. [2] It was collected by W. B. Whall in the 1860s. [3] It was printed in 1910 in "Ships, Sea Songs and Shanties". An earlier book "Sailors' Songs or Chanties", first edition 1887, by Davis and Tozer contains a version, but does not specify when it was collected.
The lyrics have many variations, but almost all versions contain this chorus, sung after each verse: [4]
And away, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York girls
Can't you dance the polka?
A less common alternate chorus is: [5]
And away, you Johnny
My dear honey
Oh, you New York girls
You love us for our money
The lyrics are often a cautionary tale of a sailor being tricked by a pretty girl who spends all of his money and in some cases robs him. This is summed up in these verses found in some versions: [6]
So come all you bully sailormen, take warning when ashore
Or else you'll meet some charming girl who's nothing but a whore
Your hard-earned cash will disappear, your rig and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher than the other side of Hell
The song has been recorded by many artists: [2]