Banks of the Sacramento
Salty Dick Lyrics


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As I was walking down the strand,
Hoo dah, hoo dah.
I spied two bitches hand in hand.
Oh, hoo dah day.

Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o.
There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass
On the banks of the Sacramento.

I chose the one with the curly locks;
Hoo dah, hoo dah.
She's the bugger that gave me the pox.
Oh, hoo dah day.

Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o.
There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass
On the banks of the Sacramento.

So off to the doctor I did go
Hoo dah, hoo dah.
Prick and balls I had to show.
Oh, hoo dah day.

Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o.
There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass
On the banks of the Sacramento.

In come the doctor with a bloody big lance
Hoo dah, hoo dah.
Said, "Now, young sailor, I'll make ye dance."
Oh, hoo dah day.

Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o.
There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass
On the banks of the Sacramento.

In come the nurse with a mustard poultice
Hoo dah, hoo dah.
She jammed it on, but I took no notice.
Oh, hoo dah day.

Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o.
There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass
On the banks of the Sacramento.

Now I'm well and free from pain
Hoo dah, hoo dah.
If I meet that whore I'll fuck her again.
Oh, hoo dah day.

Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o.




There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass
On the banks of the Sacramento.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Salty Dick's song Banks of the Sacramento portray the story of a sailor walking down the strand until he spots two women holding hands. The sailor chooses one of them, a woman with curly locks who ends up giving him a sexually transmitted disease. The sailor visits a doctor who treats him with a bloody lance and a mustard poultice. After successful treatment, the sailor is pain-free and declares his intention to have sex with the woman who gave him the disease again.


The song presents a vivid description of the life of sailors in Sacramento in the late 19th century. The sailor's encounter with the two women holding hands suggests the possibility of homosexuality in the area. Salty Dick's song reflects the culture of the time, where sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were common due to the promiscuity among sailors. The song emphasizes the importance of adequate medical care available to sailors at ports like Sacramento.


Line by Line Meaning

As I was walking down the strand, Hoo dah, hoo dah. I spied two bitches hand in hand. Oh, hoo dah day.
While strolling by the shore, I noticed two women holding hands.


Blow, boys, blow, for Californi-o. There's plenty of grass to wipe your ass On the banks of the Sacramento.
Let's sail towards California, where there's an abundance of resources and opportunities on the banks of the Sacramento river.


I chose the one with the curly locks; Hoo dah, hoo dah. She's the bugger that gave me the pox. Oh, hoo dah day.
I picked the girl with curly hair, who unfortunately gave me an STD.


So off to the doctor I did go Hoo dah, hoo dah. Prick and balls I had to show. Oh, hoo dah day.
I had to visit the doctor and show him my genitals.


In come the doctor with a bloody big lance Hoo dah, hoo dah. Said, 'Now, young sailor, I'll make ye dance.' Oh, hoo dah day.
The doctor came in with a large needle and threatened to make me dance with pain.


In come the nurse with a mustard poultice Hoo dah, hoo dah. She jammed it on, but I took no notice. Oh, hoo dah day.
The nurse applied a mustard poultice, but I didn't really pay attention.


Now I'm well and free from pain Hoo dah, hoo dah. If I meet that whore I'll fuck her again. Oh, hoo dah day.
I'm now healthy again and if I see that woman who infected me, I'll have sex with her once more.




Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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