Words: traditional
Music: traditional arr. the London Sea Shanty Collective

A capstan shanty also known as A Drop of Nelson’s Blood, and variously claimed as a parody of a Salvation Army hymn or an African-American spiritual. “Nelson’s blood” is rum, a nod to the return of his body to England preserved in a barrel of spirits. These are just a few of the verses; the song can go on as long as the singer’s stamina and invention, and the audience’s patience, last.

And we’ll roll the old chariot along,
We’ll roll the old chariot along,
We’ll roll the old chariot along,
And we’ll all hang down behind.

Oh, a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm,
And we’ll all hang down behind.

Oh, a bit of rum and baccy wouldn’t do us any harm,
And we’ll all hang down behind.

Oh, a bowl of Irish stew wouldn’t do us any harm,
And we’ll all hang down behind.

Oh, a night on the town wouldn’t do us any harm,
And we’ll all hang down behind.

Oh, a nice fat cook wouldn’t do us any harm,
And we’ll all hang down behind.