The Fisherman's Friends is a British male singing group from Port Isaac, Co… Read Full Bio ↴The Fisherman's Friends is a British male singing group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, who sing sea shanties. They have recorded three albums (to date) with this name, and also as Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends (one album) and as Fisherman's Friends (three albums to date).

The group has been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings and live performances now often include traditional simple instrumentation.

Oh You New York Girls
The Fisherman's Friends Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I walked down on Broadway
One evening in July
I met a maid, she asked me trade
A sailor boy am I

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can′t you dance the polka?

I took her off to Tiffany's, I did not mind expense
I bought her two gold earrings and they cost me fifty cents

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can′t you dance the polka?

She said 'belined you, sailor
Now walk me home you may'
But when we reached the cottage door
She turned to me to say

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can′t you dance the polka?

I kissed her hard and proper
Before her flash man came
Now, fare you well, me Bowery girl
I know your little game

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can′t you dance the polka?

I put me glad rags 'round me
And to the docks did steer
I′ll never kiss another maid
I'll stick to rum and beer!

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can′t you dance the polka?

I joined a Yankee blood-boat
Sailed away next morn
I'll never kiss another maid
I′m safer 'round Cape Horn

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And away, Santee, my dear Annie

Woah, you New York girls, can′t you dance the polka?
Hey!

Overall Meaning

The Fisherman's Friends's song Oh You New York Girls tells the story of a sailor who meets a girl on Broadway and falls for her charms. The sailor takes her to Tiffany's to buy her two gold earrings despite the cost, and she agreed to walk him home. However, when they reached her cottage door, the girl turned to the sailor and revealed that it was all a scam to get money out of him by her flash man. The sailor kissed her goodbye and swore off women for good, saying he would stick to rum and beer. He then joined a ship and sailed away, never wanting to kiss another maid again.

The lyrics of Oh You New York Girls speak to the theme of love, deception, and the sailors' lifestyle. The story is a cautionary tale to sailors who come across girls who are just in it for the money. It shows that not all women are trustworthy and that men must be vigilant in their choices. The song is also a celebration of sailors' lifestyle, their freedom, and their love of alcohol.

Line by Line Meaning

As I walked down on Broadway
I was strolling down Broadway

One evening in July
During a summer evening in July

I met a maid, she asked me trade
A young lady asked me to trade something

A sailor boy am I
I am a sailor

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
A phrase that does not contribute to the story or meaning of the song

Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
An exclamation challenging New York girls' dancing ability

I took her off to Tiffany's, I did not mind expense
I took her to a jewelry store and spent a considerable amount of money

I bought her two gold earrings and they cost me fifty cents
I bought two gold earrings for a very cheap price

She said 'belined you, sailor
She called me cute or handsome

Now walk me home you may'
Now you may accompany me home

But when we reached the cottage door
Upon reaching the cottage door