Composer: Traditional
Lyric Author: Traditional
Published: Late 19th Century
Country of origin: American/English
General Interest
This song is a work chantey. The chorus is based on an American slave spiritual.
“Nelson’s Blood” is a slang term for grog, deriving from a tall-tale that after the Battle of Trafalgar Lord Nelson’s body was preserved for transportation home in a cask of rum, which the sailors couldn’t resist tapping, even knowing what it contained.
This song is perfect for adding verses indefinitely, anyone can jump in with what they think “wouldn’t do us any harm”.
Here's a link to the Lyric:
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