Turkish Sugarlee- Parker (AR) 1958 Hunter REC
[From the Max Hunter Collection on-line; editing for punctuation and spelling. The last line of chorus was written: While we are sailing in the low-land, lone-so-low.]
Turkish Sugarlee- As sung by Mrs. Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on April 14, 1958
VERSE 1
There was a ship sailed for North Amer-e-key
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
There was a ship sailed for North America
An' it went by the name of the Turkish Sugarlee
While sailing in the lowland, lonesome low
VERSE 2
They had not been sailing more than three weeks or more
O, the low, the lowland low
They had not been sailing more than two weeks or three
Till they came in sight of the Golden Willow Tree
While their sailin' in the lowland, lonesome low
VERSE 3
Up stepped a sailor boy saying, what will you give me?
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
Up stepped a sailor boy saying, what will you give me?
If I will sink the Golden Willow Tree
While we are sailing in the lowland, lonesome low
VERSE 4
I will give you silver an' I will set you free
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
I will give you silver an' I will set you free
And besides my eldest daughter shall be married unto thee
While we are sailing in the lowland, lonesome low.
VERSE 5
He sprang upon his breast an' away swam he
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
He sprang upon his breast an' away swam he
An' he soon overtook the Golden Willow Tree
While their sailing in the lowland, lonesome low.
VERSE 6
He had a little auger just fitted for the use
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
He had a little auger just fitted for the use
And he bored nine holes and let in the juice
While their sailing in the lowland, lonesome low.
VERSE 7
Some with their hats and some with their caps
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
Some with their hats an' some with their caps
A-tryin' to stop those awful water gaps
While their sailing in the lowland, lonesome low
VERSE 8
Turned upon his breast an' away swam he
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
Turned upon his breast an' away swam he
An' he soon overtook the Turkish Sugarlee
While sailin' in the low-land, lonesome low
VERSE 9
Captain, O captain, won't you take me on board
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
Captain, O captain, won't you take me on board
Or either won't you be as good as your word
While we are sailing in the lowland, lonesome low.
VERSE 10
No sir, no sir, I won't take you on board
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
No sir, no sir, I won't take you on board
Nor either will I be as good as my word
While we are sailing in the lowland, lonesome low
VERSE 11
If it wasn't for the respect that I have for your men
Crying, O the low, the lowland low
If it wasn't for the respect that I have for your men
I'd serve you just like I served them
I'd sink you in the lowland, lonesome low
VERSE 12
He turned upon his back an' down sank he
Crying, O the low, the low-land low
He turned upon his back and down sank he
Crying, O my brave sailor boys I'm drownding in the sea [1]
Drownding in the lowland, lonesome low.
1. I'm leaving original spelling since the d is sounded.