Fire Marengo from Going Overboard by Bounding Main

Fire Marengo
Uncertain origins, likely a cotton-screwing shanty
Traditional

Lift him up and carry him along,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
Send him down where he belongs,
Fire Marengo, fire away.

Stow him down in the hold below,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
One more turn and then we’ll go
Fire Marengo, fire away.

Ease him down and let him lay,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
One more turn and then we’re away
Fire Marengo, fire away.

When I gets back to Liverpool town,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
I’ll pass a line to little Sally Brown
Fire Marengo, fire away.

I’ll haul her high, I’ll haul her low,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
I’ll bust her blocks and make her go
Fire Marengo, fire away.

Sally, she’s a pretty little craft,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
Sharp to the fore with a rounded aft
Fire Marengo, fire away.

Screw the cotton, screw it down
Fire Marengo, fire away,
Let’s get the hell from Mobile town
Fire Marengo, fire away.

Lift him up and carry him along,
Fire Marengo, fire away,
Send him down where he belongs,
Fire Marengo, fire away.

• Folk
• maritime
• sea shanty
• work song
• Chicago