Скачать или смотреть General Taylor - Folly Bridge

© WildGoose Records 2007. Available to purchase from iTunes, Amazon and other major download sites.
A halyard shanty about the death of General Zachary Taylor, who defeated Santa Ana at the Battle of Molina del Rey in 1847, bringing victory to the US in its war against Mexico. His popularity as a war hero led to his election as President of the USA in March 1849, despite his lack of political conviction.

Although the song implies that he died in battle, his sudden demise in 1850 was due a stomach infection while in office. A.L. Lloyd noted in 1962:

"The Mexican War threw up some good shanties. British seamen, many of whom jumped ship to fight on the Mexican side, sometimes sang it as if General Santy Ana had been victorious at the decisive battle of Molina del Rey. The present shanty restores history to a truer perspective, for surely enough, "General Taylor gained the day". Yet still there is confusion, for somehow Taylor's figure has merged with that of the legendary Stormalong, and the general is given the ceremonial funeral that is usually accorded to old Stormy."

General Taylor gained the day
Walk him along, John, carry him along
Oh, General Taylor gained the day
Carry him to his burying ground

Chorus (after each verse):
To me way hey, you Stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
To me way hey, you Stormy
Carry him to his burying ground

Oh I wish I was old Stormy's son
I'd build a ship ten thousand tons

I'd load her down with ale and rum
And every shellback should have some

Oh we dig his grave with a silver spade
And his shroud of the softest silk is made

And we lower him down on a golden chain
On every link we'll carve his name

General Taylor's dead and gone
General Taylor's dead and gone