INSIDE A SONG

In an extract from the book, Tiktok sea shanty star Nathan Evans explains the origins of this enigmatic tune

Blood Red Roses

Oh me boots and clothes are all in pawn Go down, you blood red roses, go down And it’s bloody draughty ‘round Cape Horn Go down, you blood red roses, go down

But it’s ‘round Cape Horn we all must go Go down, you blood red roses, go down For that is where the whale-fish blow Go down, you blood red roses, go down

My dear old mother wrote to me Go down, you blood red roses, go down Ah son, won’t you come home from sea Go down, you blood red roses, go down

It’s ‘round the Cape that we must go Go down, you blood red roses, go down Though we be beaten with rain and snow Go down, you blood red roses, go down

It’s growl you may, but go you must Go down, you blood red roses, go down You growl too loud, your head they’ll bust Go down, you blood red roses, go down

Just one more pull and that will do Go down, you blood red roses, go down For we’re the boys to pull her through Go down, you blood red roses, go down