Formed in 2006 over pints of cheap beer at East Vancouver’s notoriously violent Ivanhoe Hotel, The Dreadnoughts cut their teeth in the roughest dive bars in the city. They started by opening for (and earning the praise of) celtic-punk grandfathers The Real McKenzies, and since then have never looked back. Hauling a fiddle, an accordion, a mandolin, a tin whistle, guitars and drums into every venue that would have them, they quickly became known for their powerful, chaotic live performances. In three short years they have slowly but surely joined the ranks of Canada’s punk rock heroes.
Eliza Lee
The Dreadnoughts Lyrics
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Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
she's the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line.
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
O, we're outward bound for the West Street Pier,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Galway Shale and Liverpool beer.
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
Ah, and when we're out in New York Town,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
We'll dance them Bowery girls around!
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
Oh! the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
She's never a day behind her time!
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
O, and when we're back in Liverpool town,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
We'll stand ya's whiskeys all around!
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
Ah, when I was a young man, in my prime,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
I'd knock them Scouse girls two at a time.
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
Oh, one more pull and that will do!
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
For we're the boys to kick her through!
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track, let the bullgine run!
The Dreadnoughts' song "Eliza Lee" is a sea shanty about sailing on a ship called the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line. The song speaks of the ship being the smartest clipper around and always on time. The lyrics then turn to the singer, who is with his love, Liza Lee, and they are heading to West Street Pier with Galway Shale and Liverpool beer. Once they arrive in New York, they plan to dance with the Bowery girls. The song's final verse brings it back to Liverpool, where the singer promises to buy whiskey for everyone and shares that in his younger days, he would "knock them Scouse girls two at a time." Overall, the song is a celebration of traveling, romance, and revelry.
Interestingly, while many assume "Eliza Lee" to be a traditional folk song, it was actually written by lead singer Drew Sturgeon in 2008. However, the song features traditional shanty elements like call-and-response lyrics and a stomping, rhythmic melody.
Line by Line Meaning
The smartest clipper you can find is,
We have found the most intelligent and efficient ship to travel with.
Ho-way,ho, are you 'most done?
Are you almost finished with whatever task you are currently performing?
she's the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line.
This ship is of the same quality as the Margaret Evans ship from the Blue Star Line.
Clear away the track an' let the bullgine run!
Prepare the ship for sailing and let the engine operate at full capacity.
To me hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting gun,
I feel like dancing happily with my partner.
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
I have my beloved Liza Lee sitting on my lap.
O, we're outward bound for the West Street Pier,
We are leaving port and heading towards the West Street Pier.
With Galway Shale and Liverpool beer.
We are carrying cargo of Galway Shale and Liverpool beer on this voyage.
Ah, and when we're out in New York Town,
When we arrive in New York Town.
We'll dance them Bowery girls around!
We will have fun dancing with the Bowery girls of New York.
Oh! the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line,
Once again, reiterating the high quality of the ship we are on.
She's never a day behind her time!
This ship always reaches its destination on time, never being late.
O, and when we're back in Liverpool town,
When we return to Liverpool town after our voyage.
We'll stand ya's whiskeys all around!
We will celebrate with whiskey and buy everyone drinks.
Ah, when I was a young man, in my prime,
Reflecting on his younger years when he was at his best.
I'd knock them Scouse girls two at a time.
He used to be very successful with women and could win over two Scouse girls at the same time.
Oh, one more pull and that will do!
One more action and we will be ready to set sail.
For we're the boys to kick her through!
We are the people who will successfully complete this voyage.
Clear away the track, let the bullgine run!
Get the ship ready and let the engine run at full speed.
Contributed by Julia J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.