Classic Poem

Brisk, but not fast

1. It was in the year eighteen hundred and forty-nine, With me
hoodah, and me hoodah, It was in the year eighteen
hundred and forty-nine, Awith me hoodah, hoodahay!
Blow, boys, blow, for Californiay!
Ah, there is lots of gold, oh, so
I've been told, Upon the banks of the Saccarimento!

(Variations in solo lines repeated are shown in parentheses.)

2 We're going around the Horn and home again! TWICE .

3 We sailed away one day in May,
And when we came out into the Bay,
With me hoodah, hoodah ay, etc.

4 We got into the Bay and then did sail! TWICE .

5 Into (Oh, into) the Forties soon we (awe) did sail.

6 Now we came to the hedge of the Trades and there did sail,
A-with me hoodah, and me hoodah,
We came to the hedge of the Trades and there did sail,
A-with me hoodah, hoodah ay, etc.

7 We set our stuns'ls on a quartering waind,
With me hoodah, and me hoodah,
We set our stuns'ls on a quartering waind,
With me hoodah, hoodah ay, etc.

8 Now, when our sails were full on every stay,
With me hoodah, and me hoodah,
With our old sails and every stay,
With me hoodah, hoodah ay, etc.

9 She (Oh, she) strained her bustle and she dipped her nose!

10 Now, our royals one day we took them in,
A-with me hoodah, and me hoodah,
Our royals one day we took them in,
So with me hoodah, hoodah ay, etc.

11 Oh, the doldrums came, and came so very slow. TWICE .

12 We climbed for days and we climbed for a week! TWICE .