Bully In the Alley
The Skullduggers Lyrics
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Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Bully down in shinbone al
Sally is the girl that I love dearly
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Sally is the girl that I spliced dearly
Help me, Bob, I′m bully in the alley
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Bully down in shinbone al
For seven long years I courted little Sally
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
But all she did was dilly and alley
Bully down in shinbone al!
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I′m bully in the alley
Bully down in shinbone al
I ever get back, I′ll marry little Sally
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Have six kids and live in Shin-bone Alley
Bully down in shinbone al
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I′m bully in the alley
Bully down in shinbone al
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I′m bully in the alley
Bully down in shinbone al
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Way-hey, hey-hey, bully in the alley
Help me, Bob, I′m bully in the alley
Bully down in shinbone al
The Skullduggers’ song Bully in the Alley is a catchy tune that tells the story of a man who is looking for help from his friend Bob, while also expressing his love for a girl named Sally. The song is characterized by its repetitive nature, as the main refrain “Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley” is repeated multiple times throughout the song.
The phrase “bully in the alley” is a reference to a sailor’s work, which involves hauling, hoisting, and loading cargo in narrow alleys. The term “bully” refers to the job of hauling the ropes and the cargo, which requires strength and hard work. The singer is using this sailor’s lingo to describe his own difficult situation, where he feels overwhelmed and needs assistance.
While the song’s theme is quite simple, it is delivered with a lot of energy and attitude, making it a popular tune among fans of sea shanties and traditional folk music. The song’s repetitive melody and cheerful tone also make it easy to sing along to and have fun with.
Line by Line Meaning
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
I'm in trouble in Shinbone Alley and I need someone to help me out
Sally is the girl that I love dearly
I have a deep affection for a girl named Sally
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
I'm still in trouble in Shinbone Alley and I need help ASAP
For seven long years I courted little Sally
I pursued Sally for seven years hoping to marry her
But all she did was dilly and alley
Despite my best efforts, Sally never reciprocated my feelings
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
I really need someone to help me get out of Shinbone Alley
I ever get back, I'll marry little Sally
If I make it out of Shinbone Alley, I plan to marry Sally
Have six kids and live in Shin-bone Alley
If I marry Sally, we plan to have a large family and live in Shinbone Alley
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
I'm still in trouble and need help immediately
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
I'm still in trouble and need someone to come to my aid
Help me, Bob, I'm bully in the alley
Please, Bob, I really need your help right now
Contributed by Lillian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lowkei
on The Balena
[Verse 1]
A noble fleet of whalers
went sailing from Dundee,
While manned by British sailors
to work out on the sea.
From the western ocean passage
none with them can compare,
To the bravest ship to make
the trip is Balena, I declare!
[Chorus]
Oh, the wind is on a quarter
engine working free;
There's not another whaler
that sails out of Dundee
Can beat the old Balena
she needs no trial run
And she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!
[Verse 2]
It happened on a Tuesday
3 days out of Dundee,
When a gale took out a quarter-boat
and a couple of men, you see (couple of men, you see)
It battered out a bullwark,
her stampchains and her rails
And left the old Balena, boys,
a-floating in the gales.
[Chorus]
Oh, the wind is on a quarter,
engine working free;
There's not another whaler
that sails out of Dundee
Can beat the old Balena
she needs no trial run
And she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!
[Verse 3]
Old Jack-man cut his canvas
and nearly raised his steam,
Captain Jack with Aaron-boy
came plowing through the stream,
The noble Terra Nova, her quarters nearly burst
and still there at the whaling grounds,
Balena got there first!
[Chorus]
Oh, the wind is on a quarter,
engine working free;
There's not another whaler
that sails out of Dundee
Can beat the old Balena
she needs no trial run
And she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!
(musical interlude)
[Chorus]
Oh, the wind is on a quarter,
engine working free;
There's not another whaler
that sails out of Dundee
Can beat the old Balena
she needs no trial run
And she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!
[Verse 4]
Well, now our season's over
our ship's half full of oil,
we point the jib-boom t'wards our home
and to our native soil.
And then when we have landed
and the rum is flowing cheap,
We'll drink success to the skipper's health
for getting us o'er the deep!
[Chorus]
Oh, the wind is on a quarter,
engine working free;
There's not another whaler
that sails out of Dundee
Can beat the old Balena
she needs no trial run
And she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!
[Chorus]
Oh, the wind is on a quarter,
engine working free;
There's not another whaler
that sails out of Dundee
Can beat the old Balena
she needs no trial run
And she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!
[Outro]
and she challenged all,
both great and small,
from Dundee to St. John!