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AWAY FOR RIO

This song was used as a capstan or windlass chantey, usually for taking in the anchor. It was often the first song sung as the ship was getting underway, which is reflected in the lyrics. You can picture the sailors’ lady friends standing on the pier listening as the sailors sing “Goodbye to all of you ladies of town...”  The Rio Grande they are singing about was not the river in Mexico, but the "Rio Grande do Sul" in Brazil.

Well a ship went to sailing over the bar
Away for Rio
She’s pointing her bow towards the Southern star
And we’re bound for the Rio Grand

CHORUS
(And it’s) Away, boys, away,
Away for Rio
Sing fare-thee-well my Frisco girl
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

Well now, heave with a will boys heave with a song
Away for Rio
And we’ll sing the chorus for it is a good song

CHORUS
(And it’s) Away, boys, away,
Away for Rio
Sing fare-thee-well my Frisco girl
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

Now the anchor’s on board and the sails are all set
Away for Rio
The girls we are leaving, we’ll never forget
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

CHORUS (And it’s) Away, boys, away,
Away for Rio Sing fare-thee-well my Frisco girl
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

We’re a jolly good ship with a jolly good crew
Away for Rio
We can stick to the coast though we’re danged/lost if we do
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

CHORUS
(And it’s) Away, boys, away,
Away for Rio
Sing fare-thee-well my Frisco girl
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

Well it’s good by to Sally and good by to Sue
Away for Rio
And It’s good by to all of you flash packets*, too
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

CHORUS
(And it’s) Away, boys, away,
Away for Rio
Sing fare-thee-well my Frisco girl
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

And it’s good by to all of you ladies of town
Away for Rio
We’ve left you enough for to buy a silk gown
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

CHORUS
(And it’s) Away, boys, away,
Away for Rio Sing fare-thee-well my Frisco girl
And we’re bound for the Rio Grande

 

*Packet – very fast type of sailing ship used to carry mail.


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