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New York Girls

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"New York Girls", also known as "Can't You Dance the Polka," is a traditional sea shanty. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 486.

Contents

Lyrics

The lyrics have many variations, but almost all versions contain this chorus, sung after each verse:

An less common alternate chorus is:

The lyrics are often a cautionary tale of a sailor being tricked by a pretty girl, who ends up spending all of his money and, in some cases, robbing him. This is summed up in these verses found in some versions:

Recordings

The song has been recorded by many artists:

  • Bob Roberts, in a BBC Archive recording by Peter Douglas Kennedy (1950s)
  • Alan Mills, Songs of the Sea (1957)
  • The Kingston Trio, ...from the Hungry i (1959)
  • Ian Campbell Folk Group, New Impressions (1967)
  • Steeleye Span with Peter Sellers, Commoners Crown (1975)
  • Gordon Jones and Bob Thomas, Children in Need (1987)
  • Cyril Tawney, Sailor's Delight (1990)
  • Roberts and Barrand, Across the Western Ocean (2000)
  • Steve Tilston, Of Many Hands (2005)

    • References

    New York Girls Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA