John Cherokee

Traditionele shanty die vooral bij het hijsen van de zeilen, maar ook bij het laden of lossen van schepen werd gezongen. De tekst gaat over een West-Indische slaaf wiens talent om te ontsnappen legendarisch werd. Van deze shanty bestaan er vele varianten, hij is bijvoorbeeld ook bekend als ‘Alabama, John Cherokee’.

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This is the tale of John Cherokee, –

Alabama, John Cherokee!

Indian man from Miramichi.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

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Way, hey, yah! Alabama, John Cherokee!

Way, hey, yah! Alabama, John!

John Cherokee was an Indian Man.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

They made him a slave down in Alabam!

Alabama, John Cherokee!

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They made him a slave on a whaling ship.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

Time after time they gave him the slip.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

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They catched him again and they chained him tight, –

Alabama, John Cherokee!

Kept him chained both the day and night.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

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Gave him nothing to eat and nothing to drink,

Alabama, John Cherokee!

Until his bones began to clink.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

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Nothing to drink and nothing to eat,

Alabama, John Cherokee!

‘Til he dropped dead at the captain’s feet.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

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Now his ghost can be seen,

Alabama, John Cherokee!

Sitting on the main truck wet and green.

Alabama, John Cherokee!

Refrein