52 - Let the Bulgine Run
Words by TraditionalTune by Traditional
In the 1840s, New York saw the emergence of a new urban youth culture among single working women. These 'Bowery gals' worked in factories, in shops, or as seamstresses, and enjoyed spending their wages after hours in theatres, dance halls and ice-cream parlours. They were known for wearing brightly-coloured clothes and walking out together on the pavements of The Bowery, New York's oldest street.
Oh, the smartest packet you can find,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
Is the Old Wild Cat of the Swallowtail Line!
Clear away the track, and let the bulgine run!
Timme Hey, Rig-a-jig, and a jaunting run!
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track, and let the bulgine run!
Oh! the Old Wildcat of the Swallowtail Line,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
She’s never a day behind her time!
Clear away the track, and let the bulgine run!
Timme Hey, Rig-a-jig, and a jaunting run…
Oh, we’re outward bound for New York Town,
Them Bowery gals we’ll waltz around.
When we’ve stowed our freight at the West Street Pier,
It’s home to Liverpool then we’ll steer.
When I come home from across the sea,
Eliza said she’ll marry me.
When we all gets back to Liverpool town,
I’ll stand ye whiskies all around.
I’ll stay with Liza on the shore
And it’s back to sea I’ll go no more.