The members are: John Brown, Julian Brown, Jeremy Brown (these first three being brothers), Trevor Grills (died 11 February 2013), John Lethbridge, Billy Hawkins, Nigel Sherratt, Peter Rowe, John McDonnell and Jon Cleave. At 78, Peter Rowe is the oldest member, as of June 2012. Jon Cleave is the MC of the group.
All the members of the group "grew up within half a mile of Port Isaac harbour" except for John McDonnell who is a Yorkshireman. Three are fishermen, and the others are linked to the sea through service as coastguards or lifeboatmen.
The group performed at the 2010 Cornbury music festival in Oxfordshire, the Glastonbury Festival and the Cambridge Folk Festival. The group had released two CDs themselves before signing with Universal; their first album with Universal, Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends, was recorded in St Kew Parish Church, Cornwall, and released in April 2010.
www.fishermansfriendsportisaac.co.uk
BULLY IN THE ALLEY
Fisherman's Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way hey, bully in the alley,
Sally is the girl from shinbone alley,
Bully on the shinbone now
So help me bully in the alley
Way hey bully in the alley
Help me bully in the alley
Bully on the shinbone now
Well I've got some leave year so I'll go and see my sally,
Way hey, bully in the alley
I'll throw her a line make fast in her alley
Bully on the shinbone now
So help me bully in the alley
Way hey bully in the alley
Help me bully in the alley
Bully on the shinbone now
Well I've made damn sure for I'm tied up at her quay
Way hey bully in the alley
She told me that the story was just for me
Bully on the shinbone now
So help me bully in the alley
Way hey bully in the alley
Help me bully in the alley
Bully on the shinbone now
Well its time to leave so I'm gonna slip my cable
Way hey bully in the alley
I go to see my sally as often as I'm able
Bully on the shinbone now
So help me bully in the alley
Way hey bully in the alley
Help me bully in the alley
Bully on the shinbone now
The lyrics to Fisherman's Friends's song Bully in the Alley tell the story of a man named Sally who comes from a rough neighborhood, referred to as "our alley" and "shinbone alley". The singer expresses his desire to visit Sally and throw her a line, or a sign of affection. Sally assures him that the story is just for him, hinting at a deeper connection between the two. The song ends with the singer slipping his cable, indicating that he must leave, but promises to visit Sally whenever he can.
One interpretation of this song is that it is about the struggles of a relationship in the face of adversity. The reference to a "bully" could represent the challenges and obstacles that must be overcome in order to maintain a connection with someone from a difficult background. The "alley" setting could also represent a feeling of being excluded or marginalized by society.
Another interpretation of the song is that it is simply a love story, with the singer expressing his devotion to Sally despite any challenges they may face. The repetition of the line "Bully on the shinbone now" could be interpreted as a way of overcoming any difficulties they may face together.
Overall, the lyrics to Bully in the Alley suggest a story of love and perseverance in the face of hardship. It is a song that celebrates the strength of connection between two people, even in the face of societal pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
Well sally is the girl that comes from our alley,
There is a girl named Sally who lives in our alley.
Way hey, bully in the alley,
Celebratory phrase possibly used to attract attention or indicate a chorus is beginning.
Sally is the girl from shinbone alley,
Sally lives in a nearby place called shinbone alley.
Bully on the shinbone now
Phrase possibly used to emphasize something happening in shinbone alley that others may not approve of.
So help me bully in the alley
Seeking aid from a person named bully to join in whatever activity is happening in shinbone alley.
Well I've got some leave year so I'll go and see my sally,
The singer has some time off and plans to visit Sally.
I'll throw her a line make fast in her alley
The singer plans to visit Sally and express his feelings for her.
Well I've made damn sure for I'm tied up at her quay
The artist is committed to being with Sally.
She told me that the story was just for me
Sally shared a personal story with the artist.
Well its time to leave so I'm gonna slip my cable
The artist must depart from Sally's place.
I go to see my sally as often as I'm able
The singer enjoys visiting Sally and tries to do so as often as possible.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, BILLY HAWKINS, CHRISTOPHER JOHN LETHBRIDGE, JEREMY BROWN, JEREMY DAVID BROWN, JOHN BROWN, JOHN LETHBRIDGE, JOHN MCDONNELL, JOHN ANTHONY BROWN, JOHN LEONARD MCDONNELL, JOHNATHAN CLEAVE, JONATHAN ROBERT CLEAVE, JULIAN BROWN, JULIAN NICHOLAS BRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rob
on Blow the Man Down
I was as drunk as a skunk out on Paradise Street
Wey hey blow the man down
When a minging old strumpet I chanced for to meet
Give me some time to blow the man down
She had hair like a scarecrow and a rolling glass eye
Wey hey blow the man down
And I fell for her charms as she hobbled on by
Give me some time to blow the man down
Chorus:
Blow the man down bullys, blow the man down
Wey hey blow the man down
Blow him right back into Liverpool town
Give me some time to blow the man down
Her topsails were flapping, her rigging ran free
Wey hey blow the man down
And she clewed up her corsets and winked right at me
Give me some time to blow the man down
She was steamy and beamy and broad in the bow
Wey hey blow the man down
"Get your coat boy you've pulled and come 'ome with me now"
Give me some time to blow the man down
Chorus
I slapped and I tickled, she giggled and swooned
Wey hey blow the man down
And all the night long we canoodled and spooned
Give me some time to blow the man down
Yes all the night long won't you give me a clap?
Wey hey blow the man down
And that's just what she give me and I ain't going back
Give me some time to blow the man down
Chorus x 2