CZTERY REFY - Can't You Dance the Polka

Can't You Dance the Polka

Words traditional
Music traditional: "Can't You Dance the Polka"

As I walked down on Broadway,
One evening in July,
I met a maid who asked my trade,
A Sailor John, sez I.

To Tiffany's I took her,
I did not mind expense.
I bought her two gold earrings
An' they cost me fifteen cents.

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!... Sez she: “You Limejuice sailor,
Now see me home you may.”
But when we reached her cottage door,
She this to me did say.

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!... My flash man he's a Yankee,
Wid hair cut short behind.
He wears a pair o' red-topped boots
An' he sails the Blackball line.

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!... He's homeward bound this evening,
An' wid me he will stay.
So git a move on, sailor-boy,
Get crackin' on yer way.

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!... So I kissed her hard and proper,
Before her flash man came,
An' fare-you-well, me Bowery gal,
I know yer little game.

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!... I wrapped me glad rags round me,
An' to the dock did steer.
I'll never court another maid,
I'll stick to rum an' beer.

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!... I joined a Yankee blood-boat,
An' sailed away next morn.
Don't ever fool around wid gals,
You're safer off Cape Horn!

And away, you Santee, my dear Annie!...

"Can't You Dance the Polka" - Very popular song not only in the U.S., it originated probably around 1830. It was sung as a shanty at the capstan or windlass and even more for pure entertainment as we still sometimes do.