This song is about a “keel” (coal-carrying boat) on the River Tyne in England. It was first published in 1770 in a Scottish folk song book, but it is unknown whether it originated in England or Scotland. (source) (source)

Lyrics

1. As I came through Sandgate, through Sandgate, through Sandgate,
As I came through Sandgate, I heard a lassie sing:

Refrain
Weel may the keel row, the keel row, the keel row,
Weel may the keel row that my laddie’s in. (repeat)

2. He wears a blue bonnet, blue bonnet, blue bonnet,
He wears a blue bonnet, a dimple in his chin. Refrain

Links

• more songs from England
• more songs from Scotland
• more songs with dotted eighth / sixteenth note patterns
• more songs with chords I, IV, V
• recording

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