Teddy Thompson (born 19 February, 1976, in London, England) is a British fo… Read Full Bio ↴Teddy Thompson (born 19 February, 1976, in London, England) is a British folk and rock musician. He is the son of Linda thompson and Richard Thompson (who famously performed and recorded as Richard & Linda Thompson), and the brother of singer Kami Thompson. His fifth studio album, Bella, was released in 2011.

Thompson's style is difficult to categorize, because his influences are varied. Growing up around folk music, he listened to a musical gamut that covered Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sam Cooke and gospel. As he fell in with other musical progeny, most notably close friend Rufus Wainwright, his sound developed into his own combination of country/western, rock, and his father's folk-rock.

Thompson played regular shows at Jon Brion's venue, Largo, in Los Angeles, while getting his first album contract together. He signed with Geffen who had big plans for him - but Geffen was soon after swallowed up by Virgin, who did not. In 2000 Thompson released his debut album, Teddy Thompson, which received much critical acclaim but little commercial success. He took a few years to tour and write before finally recording his second album on his own. While reviews for his first album were generally positive, the critics have gushed over his second album. Thompson has found his own sound and voice, although his family remains heavily involved in his music.

Thompson's fourth album, A Piece of What You Need was released in 2008. His fifth studio album, Bella, was released in 2011.

Sally Brown
Teddy Thompson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sally Brown she’s a nice young lady,

Way, h
ay, we
roll an’ go.

We roll all
night

And
we roll all day

Spend my money on
Sally
Brown.

Shipped on board off a Liverpool liner

Way,
hay, we
roll an’ go.

We roll all
night

And we
roll all day

Spend my money on
Sally
Brown.

Mother doesnt like a tarry sailor

Way,
hay, we
roll an’ go.

We roll all
night

And we
roll all day

Spend my money on
Sally
Brown.

She wants her to marry a one legged captain

Way, h
ay, we
roll an’ go.

We roll all
night

And we
roll all day

Spend my money on
Sally
Brown.

Sally Brown she’s a bright lady

Way,
hay, we
roll

an’
go.
She drinks stock rum
And she chews tobacco

Way, h
ay, we r
oll an’
go.

We
roll all
night

And
we roll all day

Spend my money on
Sally
Brown.

We roll all night

And we roll all day

Spend my money on

Sally
Brown.

Overall Meaning

The song "Sally Brown" by Teddy Thompson is a traditional sea shanty that tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with Sally Brown, a young lady that he spends all his money on. The sailor and his crew spend their nights and days rolling and drinking aboard a Liverpool liner as they sing about their love for Sally Brown. However, Sally's mother does not approve of the sailor's lifestyle and wants her daughter to marry a one-legged captain instead. Despite this, the sailor continues to pine for Sally and spend his money on her.

The lyrics of "Sally Brown" depict the life of a sailor on board a ship, as well as the perils of falling in love with someone who does not have the same lifestyle or values as you. The song illustrates the strong sense of camaraderie among sailors, as they sing and drink together, but also the difficulties of being away from loved ones for long periods of time.

Overall, "Sally Brown" is a captivating and nostalgic song that captures the essence of sea shanties and the life of sailors in the 19th century.

Line by Line Meaning

Sally Brown she’s a nice young lady,
Sally Brown is a kind and pleasant woman.

Way, hay, we roll an’ go.
We will set sail swiftly and without delay.

We roll all night
We work hard throughout the night.

And we roll all day
We work hard throughout the day.

Spend my money on Sally Brown.
I use all of my earnings to provide for Sally Brown.

Shipped on board off a Liverpool liner
We boarded a ship departing from Liverpool.

Mother doesn't like a tarry sailor
Sally Brown's mother does not approve of me, a sailor.

She wants her to marry a one-legged captain
Sally Brown's mother desires for her daughter to marry a captain.

Sally Brown she’s a bright lady
Sally Brown is an intelligent and sharp-minded person.

She drinks stock rum And she chews tobacco
Sally Brown indulges in drinking rum and chewing tobacco.