Track 10. Bye Bye My Roseanna (Roud 12380)

This is a blending of the Scandinavian and Mississippi versions of this song that I’ve heard. It’s easy to forget how much of the world sailors would have seen. We always sing this at the end of our shanty night – we can make it as long or as short as we like. It's a beautiful way to end an evening and leave everyone with a spring in their step.

The boats are sailin’ round the bay, bye bye my Roseanna. All loaded down with fishermen, I won’t be home tomorrow

Bye bye bye bye, bye bye bye bye, bye bye my Roseanna. Bye bye bye bye, bye bye bye bye, I won’t be home tomorrow.

[Chorus]

A sailor’s pay’s a dollar a day, bye bye my Roseanna. It’s easy come easy slip away, I won’t be home tomorrow.

[Chorus]

Around the horn we must go, bye bye my Roseanna.

The gales are strong and the winds do blow, I won’t be home tomorrow

[Chorus]

We’re sailing west across the  dsea, bye bye my Roseanna. We won’t be back for many’s the day, I won’t be home tomorrow

[Chorus]

Oh Roseanne, sweet Roseanne, I want to be your lover. Oh Roseanne, my sweet Roseanne, I hope there is no other.

[Chorus]

Oh Roseanne, my sweet Roseanne, bye bye my Roseanna. Oh Roseanne, sweet Roseanne, I won't be home tomorrow.

[Chorus]

I won’t be home tomorrow.