The X-Seaman's Institute was a rollicking quartet devoted to nautical and m… Read Full Bio ↴The X-Seaman's Institute was a rollicking quartet devoted to nautical and maritime music that regularly performed at South Street Seaport Museum in New York City. Led by the late Bernie Klay, the group included Frank Woerner, John Townley, and Dan Aguiar. On July 4th 1976 they were the feature performers for the Bicentennial Tall Ships festival and entertained a crowd estimated at 20,000. Other concerts followed up and down the East coast from Boston's historic Old Ironsides to The New Bedford Seamen's Bethel and Mystic Seaport, to the National Maritime Museum in Norfolk, Va. They currently have five albums available as CDs or individual cuts for downloads at www.folkways.si.edu. Frank Woerner continues to perform in the NYC area. John Townley is currently living on Long Island. Dan Aguiar is a member of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild and continues to perform in the Mid Hudson area.

All For Me Grog
The X-Seamen's Institute Lyrics

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All for me grog
Me jolly jolly grog (clap)
All come for beer and tobacco
Spent all mi tin down on south street drinking gin
And across the western ocean we must wander
Were are mi boots (clap)
Mi nogging nogging boots (clap)
All come for beer and tobacco

The hills are kept about and the souls are al worn out
And mi toes are looking out for better weather
So it′s all for me grog
Me jolly jolly grog
All come for beer and tobacco
Spent all mi tin down on south street drinking gin
And across the western ocean we must wander
Were is mi shirt
Mi nogging nogging shirt
All sold for beer and tobacco
The collar is worn out
And the front is kicked about
And mi tail is looking out for better weather
So it's all for me grog
Me jolly jolly grog
It′s all sold for beer and tobacco
Spent all mi tin down on south street drinking gin
And across the western ocean we must wander
Were is mi bed (clap)

Mi nogging nogging bed
All come for beer and tobacco

Overall Meaning

"All For Me Grog" is a traditional Irish folk song performed by The X-Seamen's Institute. The song is about a man who has spent all his money on grog, which is slang for alcoholic beverages, beer, and tobacco. When the man realizes he has spent all his money, he sings about all the things he needs - such as his boots, shirt, and bed - but cannot afford because he spent all his money on grog. The song is about the joy of drinking and socializing but also the consequences that come with overindulgence.

The lyrics of the song are simple and straightforward, but they convey a powerful message about the dangers of drinking too much. The man in the song is portrayed as someone who is carefree and living in the moment, but he is also someone who has lost control of his life. The repetition of the chorus, "All for me grog, me jolly jolly grog," emphasizes the man's obsession with alcohol and how it has consumed him. The song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and the importance of maintaining balance in one's life.

Line by Line Meaning

All for me grog
Everything I do is for my beloved alcoholic beverage

Me jolly jolly grog (clap)
My happy and cheerful alcoholic beverage, which I like to clap for

All come for beer and tobacco
Everyone is here to enjoy their vices, alcohol and tobacco

Spent all mi tin down on south street drinking gin
I have exhausted all of my money drinking gin on South Street

And across the western ocean we must wander
We have to roam across the ocean after spending all of our money

Were are mi boots (clap)
Where are my beloved boots that I have a strong attachment to? (clap)

Mi nogging nogging boots (clap)
My precious boots that I like to clap for

The hills are kept about and the souls are all worn out
The surroundings are hilly and rough, and everyone is tired and exhausted

And mi toes are looking out for better weather
My toes are in need of better circumstances

So it’s all for me grog\nMe jolly jolly grog
I continue to prioritize my love for alcohol above all else

All sold for beer and tobacco
I have sold everything I own to fuel my addiction to alcohol and tobacco

The collar is worn out\nAnd the front is kicked about\nAnd mi tail is looking out for better weather
My shirt is in disrepair with the collar and front worn, and my backside is exposed and in need of better circumstances

Were is mi bed (clap)\nMi nogging nogging bed
Where is my bed, which I am very fond of? (clap) It is my beloved bed that I like to clap for

All come for beer and tobacco
Everyone is here to partake in their vices, drinking and smoking

Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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