Pump Away

I learned this from a friend. I can't find it on the Web. If you know that this song is copywritten, please inform me and I'll remove the lyrics immediately. My friend, Rhiannon, always introduced this song as one she learned from sailors, who sung it as they worked the bilge pumps in the belly of the ship.

Chorus: Put your shoulder next to mine and pump away, pump away Put your shoulder next to mine and pump away Well, I gave him favors one, favors one [Echo: Favors one] I gave him favors one, favors one [Favors one] I gave him favors one...my song has just begun! I gave him favors two, favors two [Favors two] I gave him favors two, favors two [Favors two] I gave him favors two...[spoken] said, "Come up for air, dear, you're turning blue!" And so on... Favors three...brought him to his knees Favors four...we went rollin' 'cross the floor Favors five...he went for a dive Favors six...[spoken] I taught him a few new tricks I gave him favors seven, favors seven [Favors eleven!] [scowl at Echo] I gave him favors seven, favors seven! [Favors eleven!] I gave him favors seven...he says it was eleven. Men! Favors eight...he began to levitate Favors nine...then I tied him up with twine Favors ten...and then we did it all again!

For the changeover in the echo in verse seven, I either instruct the audience to echo "eleven" at the beginning of the performance and don't explain why, or make sure that I have loud friends who know the song and will chime in.

Last updated 06/10/99 Email me: sca_bard@yahoo.com