Liverpool Judies

A traditional sea song, used as both a capstan shanty and a forebitter. The earliest known evidence of the song dates to 1911, when it was collected by Clive Carey from a sailor on the S.S. Lancastrian. This version was published in 1912 in The Espérance Morris Book, where an editorial note comments, "We know nothing of this swinging tune, though it is evidently a fairly modern one. Captain Whall, who in the course of his long experience has never met with it, is also of this opinion." It is well-referenced on both sides of the Atlantic, making it difficult to discern an exact location of origin, though given the subject matter, it could well have been composed anywhere between the British Isles and North America.

The lyrics share a theme with Off to Sea, warning of the dangers of drink and unscrupulous boarding masters (see that page for more info). In this case, however, the narrator is drawn back to sea not through their own profligacy but by being literally drugged and kidnapped, an unfortunately common practice in some port cities at the time.

The Longest Johns released a YouTube video of the song on 13 March 2024, filmed backstage during their European tour, with Seán Dagher singing lead and playing the bouzouki.

Factoids

Judy: slang for a woman, sometimes specifically a romantic partner

Got us in tow: According to A.L. Lloyd, this line refers to good sailing conditions: "When the ship was sailing along at a fast speed, the sailors would say: 'The girls have got hold of the tow-rope today.'"

Jibboom: a spar (wooden pole) used to extend the length of the bowsprit (itself a spar extending forward from the front of the ship); these served as anchor points for the frontmost sails on the ship. When entering harbor, the jibboom could be drawn back (hove in) along the bowsprit to reduce the chance of colliding with other ships.

Crimp: slang for a boarding master, especially an unscrupulous one likely to recruit sailors via coercive techniques up to and including outright kidnapping.

Got cottoned: got attached; took a liking

Lyrics

As performed in the video; the lyrics are substantially similar to Seán's Shanty of the Week version, less one omitted verse.

From Liverpool to Frisco, a-roving I went
And to stay in that country was my good intent
But drinking strong whiskey like other damn fools
Well I soon got transported back to Liverpool

{Chorus}
And it's roll, (Roll!) roll bullies, roll!
Them Liverpool judies have got us in tow

For forty-two days we were hungry and sore
And the wind was against us and the waves they did roar
Off Battery Point we dropped anchor at last
With our jibboom hove in and the canvas all fast

{Chorus}

The boardinghouse master was off in a trice
He was cursing and promising all that was nice
Well, one old fat crimp, he got cottoned to me
And says he, "You're a fool, lad, to follow the sea."

{Chorus}

Says he, "There's a job and it's waiting for you —
Get boatloads of liquor and there's not much to do.
Oh, what do you say, lad, and will you jump to?"
And says I, "You old bastard, I'm damned if I do."

{Chorus}

But the best of intentions they never get far
After forty-two days knockin' back at the bar
Well, he bought me some liquor, and what do you think?
Well, the dirty old bastard put drugs in my drink!

{Chorus}

So come all you young sailors, take warning by me
Keep an eye on your liquor when the whiskey is free
And pay no attention to runner or whore
Or your heart will be sick and your head will be sore

{Chorus x2}

Recordings

YouTube Videos

• Backstage video w/Sean Dagher