Charlie over the Ocean

DESCRIPTION: "Charlie over the ocean (x3), Charlie over the sea." "Charlie caught a (blackbird/blackfish) (x2), Can't catch me."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1950 (recording, children of East York School)
KEYWORDS: playparty
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Courlander-NegroFolkMusic, pp. 159-160, "(Charlie Over the Ocean)" (1 text)
Roud #729
RECORDINGS:
Children of East York School, "Charlie Over the Ocean" (on NFMAla6m RingGames1)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Johnny on the Ocean" (lyrics)
NOTES [64 words]: Both the reference to "Charlie over the ocean" and the mention of a blackbird hint at a Jacobite background in Courlander's text -- but the keyword is "hint." This clearly has been long forgotten in the American tradition (though Roud links it to several Bonnie Prince Charlie songs).
To me, this looks more closely related to "Johnny on the Ocean." But we really need more texts. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.4
File: CNFM159

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