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Captive Passage
has been made
possible in part by:
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John Cherokee (collected by Stan Hugill)
Many slaves and free blacks went to sea, and several sea chanties still used as late as the 20th century came out of this black work song tradition.
- Oh, this is the tale of John Cherokee
Ch: Alabama - John Cherokee!
The Indian man from Miramashee
Ch: Alabama - John Cherokee!
Way - aye-yah!
Ch: Alabama - John Cherokee!
- They made him a slave down in Alabam,
He run away every time he can,
Way-aye-yah!
- They shipped him aboard of a whaling ship,
Agen an' agen he gave 'em the slip,
Way-aye-yah!
- But they cotched him agen an' they chained him tight,
Kept him in the dark widout any light.
Way-aye-yah!
- The gave him nuttin' for to eat or drink,
All of his bones began to clink.
Way-aye-yah!
- An' now his ghost is often seen,
Sittin' on the main truck - all wet an' green.
Way-aye-yah!
- At the break o' dawn he goes below,
That is where de cocks dey crow.
Way-aye-yah!
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