Clear the Track

Oh, de smartest packet you can find,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
Is the Marg'ret Evans of the Blue Star Line.
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.
To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.

Oh! the Marg'ret Evans of the Blue Star Line,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
She's never a day behind her time!
Oh! Clear away the track an' let the bulgine run!
O, we're outward bound for New York Town,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
Them bowery gals we'll waltz around.
Oh! Clear away the track an' let the bulgine run!

When we've stowed our freight at the West Street Pier,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
It's home to Liverpool then we'll steer.
Oh! Clear away the track an' let the bulgine run!
O, them bowery gals will give us fun,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
Chatham Street dives is home from home.
Oh! Clear away the track an' let the bulgine run!

When we all gets back to Liverpool town,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
I'll stand ye whiskies all around.
Oh! Clear away the track an' let the bulgine run!
O, heave a pawl -- o, bear a hand,
Ah Hey! Ah Ho! Are you most done?
Just one more pull and make her stand.
Oh! Clear away the track an' let the bulgine run!

Oh, Liza Lee will you be mine?
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
I'll dress you up in silk so fine.
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.
To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.

And when I'm home again from sea,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
Oh Liza, you shall marry me,
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.
To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.

I'll stay with you upon de shore,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
And back to sea will go no more.
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.
To me hey rig-a-jig in a low-backed car,
Ah-ho, way-ho, are you 'most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
So clear de track, let de bullgine run.

Negro sailors were never particular where they got their tunes from. The hymns of evangelists like Sankey and Moody were just as suitable for their purposes as music hall songs. The melody of 'Clear de Track' is quite obviously an Irish tolk song 'Shule Agra'. The reference to the 'low-backed car' is further evidence of the song's provenance. But then it was a perfect windlass shanty. (Bullgine, of course, means engine.)