Sailing Over the Dogger Bank

A traditional shanty circa 1890, in need of some translation methinks..

Dogger Bank – treacherous fishing ground in the North Sea.

‘Give a sheet’ – slacken a rope attached to a sail, although the lyric could have been written ‘give a shit’, which you’d have to do whilst riding out a storm over the Dogger bank.

Twigger – young sailor (tell him enough times and he’ll ‘twig’ what you’re on about).

Ju-be-ju – could refer to a style of dance, reference to ships rigging or, in this case it’s likely to refer to a boat in a bad state of repair.

Shanghai roush – someone forced into service.

Roadstone Inspector – not a job exactly, more likely a by-product of too much alcohol and time spent face down in the gutter 🙂

Double Shuffle – a dance, circa 1883 or, given Jenny’s chosen career… ?

Knickerbocker Line – could refer to the Boston street-car service (mid 1800’s) or, possibly just a reference to Jenny’s baggy drawers.

Anyway, it’s a fun song to sing in the pub, beer in hand.. cheers!