Clear the Track (Eliza Lee)

Info

Also called Eliza Lee, this is a variation of “Shula Agra,” an Irish song. It is a “capstan shanty” for short pulls, probably also used for loading. (Luboff & Stracke)

Lyrics

(Sea shanty from the British Isles)

O the smartest clipper you can find,
Ah-hee, ah-ho, are you most done?
Is the Margaret Evans of the Black X Line,
So clear away the track, let the bull-gine* run.

Refrain
To my hey rig-a-jig in a low back car,
Ah-hee, ah-ho, are you most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
So clear away the track, let the bull-gine run.

O the times are hard and the wages low,
Ah-hee, ah-ho, are you most done?
O it can’t get worse, so we’re bound to go,
So clear away the track, let the bull-gine run. Refrain

O the winds were foul and the work was hard,
Ah-hee, ah-ho, are you most done?
From the Liverpool docks to the Brooklyn yard.
So clear away the track, let the bull-gine run. Refrain

* bulgine = American slang for a railway engine (source)

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody
Amazon links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, but there is no extra cost to you.

Share this post

3 thoughts on “Clear the Track (Eliza Lee)”

  1. Your version is the closest I have found to the one I heard 70 years ago. There are many variations and I was glad to sing along with you. I am 83 at this writing in 2024.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top