20 - Cape Cod Girls

Words by Traditional
Tune by Traditional

This was likely used as a long haul or halyard shanty. The named town could be substituted for the name of another fishing town, should the sailors wish the song's jokes to be at someone else's expense.

Cape Cod girls ain’t got no combs
Haul away, haul away
They comb their hair with codfish bones
And we’re bound away for Australia

So heave away, my bully, bully boys
Haul away, haul away
Heave away, why don’t you make some noise
And we’re bound away for Australia

Cape Cod kids ain’t got no sleds
Haul away, haul away
They slide down the hills on codfish heads
And we’re bound away for Australia

So heave away, my bully, bully boys…

Cape Cod men ain’t got no ale
Haul away, haul away
They fill their glasses with codfish tails
And we’re bound away for Australia

So heave away, my bully, bully boys…

Cape Cod folk ain’t got no ills
Haul away, haul away
Cape Cod doctors give 'em codfish pills
And we’re bound away for Australia

So heave away, my bully, bully boys

Cape Cod mothers don’t bake no pies
Haul away, haul away
They feed their kids on codfish eyes
And we’re bound away for Australia

So heave away, my bully, bully boys…

Cape Cod cats ain’t got no tails
Haul away, haul away
They got blown off by the northeast gales
And we’re bound away for Australia