"New York Girls", also known as "Can't You Dance the Polka," is a traditional sea shanty.[1] It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 486.[2] It was collected by W. B. Whall in the 1860s.[3] It was printed in 1910 in "Ships, Sea Songs and Shanties". An earlier book "Sailors' Songs or Chanties", first edition 1887, by Davis and Tozer contains a version, but does not specify when it was collected.

Lyrics

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The lyrics have many variations, but almost all versions contain this chorus, sung after each verse:[4]

And away, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York girls
Can't you dance the polka?

A less common alternate chorus is:[5]

And away, you Johnny
My dear honey
Oh, you New York girls
You love us for our money

The lyrics are often a cautionary tale of a sailor being tricked by a pretty girl who spends all of his money and in some cases robs him. This is summed up in these verses found in some versions:[6]

So come all you bully sailormen, take warning when ashore
Or else you'll meet some charming girl who's nothing but a whore
Your hard-earned cash will disappear, your rig and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher than the other side of Hell

Recordings

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The song has been recorded by many artists:[2]

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References

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  1. ^ Engle, David G.; Waltz, Robert B. (2016). "Can't You Dance the Polka (New York Girls)". Fresno State. California State University. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Zierke, Reinhard (November 7, 2015). "New York Girls / Can't You Dance the Polka". Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music. mainlynorfolk.info. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  3. ^ Vaughan Williams, Ralph. "W.B. Whall". Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. J Brown and Son. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. ^ "New York Girls (Version 2)". Contemplator. contemplator.com. 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  5. ^ "New York Girls (Version 1)". Contemplator. contemplator.com. 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  6. ^ Anitra (2016). "Oh, You New York Girls". Anitra's Web. anitra.net. Retrieved August 13, 2016.