ROLL THE OLD CHARIOT ALONG
(Lead vocal - Peter Kasin) This is another chantey that originated as an African-American spiritual. It was often used as a "stamp-and-go" or a "walk away" chantey, meaning the sailors would hold on to the line and walk with it, creating a steady pull. This was used on the ship's braces, which swing the yards around. It was also used at the Downtown Pumps, the giant flywheels which resemble the wheels of a chariot. The song was also popular on shore, and has been used as a Salvation Army hymn and a "pep song" at baseball games.
And a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm,
a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm,
a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm,
and we’ll all hang on behind
CHORUS
And, we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along
and we’ll all hang on behind
And a plate of Irish stew wouldn’t do us any harm,
And a plate of Irish stew wouldn’t do us any harm,
And a plate of Irish stew wouldn’t do us any harm,
and we’ll all hang on behind
CHORUS
And, we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along
and we’ll all hang on behind
Oh, a nice fat cook wouldn’t do us any harm…
CHORUS
And, we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along
and we’ll all hang on behind
Oh, a nice watch below wouldn’t do us any harm…
CHORUS
And, we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along
and we’ll all hang on behind
Oh, a good night ashore wouldn’t do us any harm…
CHORUS
And, we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along,
we’ll roll the old chariot along
and we’ll all hang on behind
