Words: traditional
Music: traditional arr. the London Sea Shanty Collective
Audio: the London Sea Shanty Collective at the British Library

A classic shanty. “Bully” = passed out drunk.

Help me Bob, I’m bully in the alley,
Wey hey, Bully in the alley,
Help me Bob, I’m bully in the alley,
Bully down in Shinbone al.

Sally is a girl that I loved dearly,
Wey hey, Bully in the alley,
Sally is the girl that I loved nearly,
Bully down in Shinbone al.

For seven long years I courted little Sally,
Wey hey, Bully in the alley,
All she did was dilly and dally,
Bully down in Shinbone al.

I left my Sal, I went a-sailing,
Wey hey, Bully in the alley,
Signed on a big ship, I went a-whaling,
Bully down in Shinbone al.

If ever I get back, I’ll marry little Sally,
Wey hey, Bully in the alley,
Have six kids and live in Shinbone alley,
Bully down in Shinbone al.

I thought I heard the old man saying, 
Wey hey, Bully in the alley,
One more pull and we’re belaying, 
Bully down in Shinbone al.