They released one Ep, E.P.onymous in October 2004, and five albums, Burlesque in October 2006, Matachin in October 2008, Hedonism in October 2010, Broadside in October 2012 and Revival in June 2014.
http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/releases.html
They announced in 2015 that the 2016 tour would be the last.
www.bellowhead.co.uk/home/item/142-thats-all-folks.html
Band Members ...
Jon Boden - lead vocals and fiddle
John Spiers - melodeon & concertina
Benji Kirkpatrick - bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo
Paul Sartin - Fiddle, oboe and vocals
Rachael McShane - Cello, fiddle, vocals
Ed Neuhauser - Sousaphone, Helicon & Tuba
Pete Flood - percussion
Andy Mellon - trumpet & flugelhorn
Brendan Kelly - soprano & tenor saxes, bass clarinet
Justin Thurgur - trombone
Sam Sweeney - Fiddle, Bagpipes
www.bellowhead.co.uk/band.html
New York Girls
Bellowhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She asked me back to see her place; she lived on Barrack Street
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And when we got to Barrack Street, we stopped at forty-four
Her mother and her sister were waiting at the door
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And when I got inside the house, the drinks were passed around
The liquor was so awful strong, my head went round and round
And then we had another drink before we sat to eat
The liquor was so awful strong, I quickly fell asleep
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
When I awoke next morning, I had an aching head
And there was I Jack all alone, stark naked in me bed
My gold watch and my money and my lady friend were gone
And there was I Jack all alone, stark naked in the room
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
Oh looking round that little room, there's nothing I could see
But a woman's shift and apron that were no use to me
With a barrel for a suit of clothes, down Cherry Street forlorn
Where Martin Churchill took me in and he sent me round Cape Horn
So sailor lads, take warning when you land on New York shore
You'll have to get up early to be smarter than a whore
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
The lyrics of Bellowhead’s song New York Girls tell a story of a man encountering a woman on Barrack Street in New York City, who invites him to her house where he is offered and drinks strong liquor before passing out. The next morning he wakes up alone, his gold watch and money gone, with nothing but a woman’s shift to cover himself. The song warns sailors to be cautious on New York shores as they might come across women who may outsmart them.
The song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being taken advantage of by women, especially in a city like New York where people could be misled easily by the glamour and bustling nightlife. The repetition of the chorus “Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?” adds a layer of mockery and irony to the story, as if the singer is blaming the women and their dancing abilities for his misfortune.
Overall, the lyrics of New York Girls can be seen as a representation of the dubiousness and uncertainty that comes with being in a new city, where strangers can lure you into danger and leave you stranded.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked down to New York town, a fair maid I did meet
I met a beautiful young woman as I was walking to New York City
She asked me back to see her place; she lived on Barrack Street
She invited me to come over to her home on Barrack Street
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
Chorus for the song
And when we got to Barrack Street, we stopped at forty-four
Her mother and her sister were waiting at the door
At her house, her mother and sister were there waiting for us
And when I got inside the house, the drinks were passed around
The liquor was so awful strong, my head went round and round
And then we had another drink before we sat to eat
The liquor was so awful strong, I quickly fell asleep
We drank some very strong liquor and I got very drunk and fell asleep at the dinner table
When I awoke next morning, I had an aching head
And there was I Jack all alone, stark naked in me bed
My gold watch and my money and my lady friend were gone
And there was I Jack all alone, stark naked in the room
I woke up the next morning with a headache and realized that my money, watch, and the woman I was with had disappeared, leaving me naked and alone in the room
Oh looking round that little room, there's nothing I could see
But a woman's shift and apron that were no use to me
With a barrel for a suit of clothes, down Cherry Street forlorn
Where Martin Churchill took me in and he sent me round Cape Horn
I looked around the room but all I could find was a useless woman's dress and apron. I had to borrow clothes from someone and ended up being sent on a long sea journey
So sailor lads, take warning when you land on New York shore
You'll have to get up early to be smarter than a whore
The song is warning sailors that they need to be careful when they come to New York City and not fall for the tricks of the women there
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
Chorus for the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GRAHAM EDWARDS, LAUREN CHRISTY, SAMMY JAMES JR., SCOTT ALSPACH SPOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Guinness feast
As I walked down to New York town, a fair maid I did meet
She asked me back to see her place; she lived on Barrack Street
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And when we got to Barrack Street, we stopped at forty-four
Her mother and her sister were waiting at the door
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And when I got inside the house, the drinks were passed around
The liquor was so awful strong, my head went round and round
And then we had another drink before we sat to eat
The liquor was so awful strong, I quickly fell asleep
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
When I awoke next morning, I had an aching head
And there was I Jack all alone, stark naked in me bed
My gold watch and my money and my lady friend were gone
And there was I Jack all alone, stark naked in the room
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
Oh looking round that little room, there's nothing I could see
But a woman's shift and apron that were no use to me
With a barrel for a suit of clothes, down Cherry Street forlorn
Where Martin Churchill took me in and he sent me round Cape Horn
So sailor lads, take warning when you land on New York shore
You'll have to get up early to be smarter than a whore
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And away, Santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
Lawrence Tanner
My first knowledge of this song was from a book on sailing. Each chapter ended with a shanty. I couldn't read music then at all. Barely can now. But I am not just a little grateful that Bellowhead is in my email inbox. Very grateful indeed. Y'all are a fabulous group doing fabulous work on timeless folk songs. Shanties are my fav. I have been a sailor in the merchants and the military. Thanks, guys. I'll contribute when I can. Love y'all.
Emzie Barker
They're amazing live, miss Bellowhead 🙏🏼😓
Ben Fowler
same so sad
Alan Connor
They are first-rate, a joy to listen to.
theworld withoutus
Love this song never gets old
Jorge Goulden
Great song, great arrangement and great band. If it weren't for the movie "Gangs of New York", I would not have ever heard this great song.
t1m06
cannot listen to this without tapping feet, and wanting to dance. Its amazing..... Such a happy track...
Eric Rayner
Great to see the band on a video with such good sound and production qualities.
George Warner
great band - great fun live............saw them a couple of times at Cambridge folk festival. excellent gigs
mike kitsko
I'm 76 and love it! Absolute great stage presence and showmanship! Could I adopt Rachael as a granddaughter? Jon is a musical genius! I've sang with my guitar the Kingston Trio version since 1960! And the story told has been true so many times with my shipmates! It really does happen to young, gullible sailors. Ha! Sorry you all retired. Mike