Blackbird Get Up


Blackbird Get Up   (Alison)

A rowing song from the West Indies used either during off shore whale hunting or for pulling the boat out of the water. The “wet” verses are a commentary by the whalers on the rainy conditions they endured.

 

Oh the blackbird get up

Aiyah

She break she tail

Aiyah

And the white bird get up

Aiyah

She do the same

Aiyah

 

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Um Emmalina

Aiyah

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Girl come go with me

Aiyah

 

Oh the white bird stand up

Aiyah

She shake she tail

Aiyah

And the blackbird get up

Aiyah

She do the same

Aiyah

 

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Um Emmalina

Aiyah

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Girl come go with me

Aiyah

 

Well the captain cry out

Aiyah

Wet messy wet

Aiyah

And the front man cry out

Aiyah

He do the same

Aiyah

 

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Um Emmalina

Aiyah

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Girl come go with me

Aiyah

 

Wet messy wet

Aiyah

Water feel the stick

Aiyah

Wet messy wet

Aiyah

When the rain come down

Aiyah

 

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Um Emmalina

Aiyah

Sing oh m’donna

Aiyah

Girl come go with me

Aiyah