CZTERY REFY - Put Your Shoulder next to Mine and Pump Away!

Put Your Shoulder next to Mine
and Pump Away!

Words & music traditional

Oh, once I had a girl, - Had a girl!
Oh, once I had a girl, - Had a girl!
Oh, once I had a girl,
And she put me in a whirl,

Oh, she had me on a string, - On a string!
Oh, she had me on a string, - On a string!
Oh, she had me on a string,
And I bought her everything,

Put your shoulder next to mine ... Oh, I bought her presents one, - Presents one!
Oh, I bought her presents one, - Presents one!
Oh, I bought her presents one,
Which she said I shouldn't done,

Put your shoulder next to mine ... Oh, I bought her presents two, - Presents two!
Oh, I bought her presents two, - Presents two!
And then she et me woo,

Oh, I bought her presents three, - etc.
She began to fancy me,

Oh, l bought her presents four,
And she kissed me at the door,

Oh, I bought her presents five,
And she was very much alive,

Oh, I bought her presents six,
And that one did the trick,

Oh, I bought her presents seven,
And I thought I was in heaven,

Oh, I bought her presents eight,
And l took her for me mate,

Oh, l bought her presents nine,
And the baby's doing fine,

Oh, I bought her presents ten,
And we did it all again,

"Put Your Shoulder next to Mine and Pump Away" - I learned this brake pump chantey from the English group "Shanty Crew" when I sang with them aboard the Thames barge "Cambria" in 1983. I believe they learned it from Stan Hugill, and it is ultimately derived from the song "Roll Me Over in the Clover". It's always been a favorite of mine, not only for the happy subject matter but for its good rhythm. I've sung this for hand-pumping the holding tank (which holds sewage from the toilet) on schooner "Pioneer".