At the heart of David's work is traditional and contemporary folk music. He draws on vocal and instrumental music from North America as well as England, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany. David also has an extensive collection of songs from the Maritime tradition. Sea-chanteys, ballads and the songs of the sailors comprise his main repertoire, though he still will rise to an occasion to perform his favorite Baroque recorder sonatas.
David has performed with the Cambridge-based Revels since 1980 as a singer, instrumentalist and, since 1991, as Master of Ceremonies. As of 2009, with the Christmas and Spring performances combined, he has appeared in over 50 different Revels productions, celebrating the solstices through the traditions of many cultures.
In 2000, David quit his "day job" to become a full-time performer, bringing original Enrichment Programs to schools throughout New England. In 2007, he was named Director of Education for Boston Early Music Festival. His one-of-a-kind presentation highlighting period instruments, Music from the King's Court: Exploring the Early Winds, highlights the history of the recorder and related period wind instruments. David's dynamically interactive performance has inspired novice musicians and "wowed" more advanced students, in hundreds of schools. Life at Sea: A Voyage in Song is the no less lively program based on an imaginary whaling voyage that gets audiences singing authentic, historical sea songs as they learn about mariners' lives long ago and far from home.
David also provides rollicking group tours of Boston Harbor for private parties, meetings and celebrations. You pick the day, time and season, and make the sailing arrangements; we promise an unforgettable educational experience in song and story. Suitable for all ages.
During the summer months David leads 200 inner-city children a day on boat trips through Boston Harbor to George's and Spectacle Islands for a day of history, music, fun. It's a mind-broadening experience of Boston's own harbor and maritime history. Many of the participating children have never been on a boat, let alone walk on sand or swim in salt-water. For more information about the All Access Boston Harbor programs, please visit http://www.savetheharbor.org/index.php/all-access-boston-harbor
To date, David has recorded four solo CDs and has participated on numerous other recording projects both vocally and as an instrumentalist. His latest CD is scheduled for release Fall 2009.
Roll the Old Chariot Along
David Coffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, a drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm,
Oh, a drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm,
An' we'll all hang on behind!
So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
An' we'll roll the golden chariot along!
So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
An' we'll all hang on behind!
So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
An' we'll roll the golden chariot along!
So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
An' we'll all hang on behind!
Oh, a nice fat cook wouldn't do us any harm.
Oh, a roll in the clover wouldn't do us any harm.
Oh, a long spell in gaol wouldn't do us any harm.
Oh, a nice watch below wouldn't do us any harm.
Oh, a night with the gals wouldn't do us any harm.
The song Roll the Old Chariot Along is a sea shanty that was commonly sung by sailors during their long journeys at sea. It starts with "Oh, a drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm," which could be a reference to Admiral Horatio Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar. The sailors are suggesting that drinking Nelson's blood would give them courage like the famed admiral.
The next lines are "So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along, An' we'll roll the golden chariot along!" which could refer to the sailors rolling a barrel of rum or whiskey along the deck of the ship, lifting their spirits and giving them the ability to continue their journey. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the sense of camaraderie among the sailors as they all hang on behind, working together to keep the ship moving.
The following verses mention other things that the sailors believe wouldn't do them any harm, such as a plate of Irish stew, a nice fat cook, a roll in the clover, a long spell in gaol (jail), and a night with the gals. These verses are playful and emphasize the sailors' desire for things that will lift their spirits and keep them going through their long journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, a drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm,
A small sip of alcohol named after the legendary British admiral Horatio Nelson wouldn't hurt us and would give us courage.
An' we'll all hang on behind!
We will all sing together and enjoy the moment.
So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
We will continue to sing and have fun despite any adversity.
An' we'll roll the golden chariot along!
We will continue to enjoy life, wealth, and happiness.
Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
A tasty dish made of meat and vegetables named after beloved Ireland wouldn't hurt and would make us happy.
Oh, a nice fat cook wouldn't do us any harm.
A skilled cook with a generous figure would make a delightful company and wouldn't harm us.
Oh, a roll in the clover wouldn't do us any harm.
A playful sexual encounter in the meadows wouldn't hurt us and would make us happy.
Oh, a long spell in gaol wouldn't do us any harm.
A prolonged stay in prison wouldn't cause us any injury or death.
Oh, a nice watch below wouldn't do us any harm.
A treasured timepiece wouldn't hurt us and would bring joy.
Oh, a night with the gals wouldn't do us any harm.
A wild and fun night with women wouldn't hurt us and would be pleasurable.
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LuckyApplehead
holy crap his voice is so manly.
@TheBobberWCC
Something about a lot of people singing makes things so epic
@MrDuckAlmighty
the energy this creates...
@MarioLoco03
This makes me want to get drunk and sing with friends.
@dalecheck4455
I watched this about a dozen times now! I LOVE this guy's energy, and the song! Wish we did things like this more often.
@musicdragonmountain2911
Every time I hear David's voice with the crowd, I get chills. Why is he not famous all around the world?
@dewar01
Epic voice, what a legend.
@Diek454
If I was randomly walking down the streets of New Hampshire... for some reason... and I came across these people singing sea shanty's in the middle of a thoroughfare I would instantly fall in love for New Hampshire. In fact I think I already have.
@pugwashsecond
So wonderful to hear someone giving a shanty 100% instead of the tarty choral versions that crop up for much of the time.
@junkanoopunch
10/10 would plunder & pillage with again.