Run, Let the Bullgine Run

DESCRIPTION: Shanty or railroading song. Refrain: "Run with/let the bulgine run. Way-yah oh-i-oh, Run with/let the bulgine run." Many verses repeat the "running" theme, i.e. "we'll run all day to Frisco Bay." Used as both a capstan and halyard shanty.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1888 (L. A. Smith, _Music of the Waters_)
KEYWORDS: shanty worksong sailor nonballad railroading
FOUND IN: Britain US
REFERENCES (4 citations):
Colcord-SongsOfAmericanSailormen, p. 64, "Run With the Bullgine" (1 short text, 1 tune)
Hugill-ShantiesFromTheSevenSeas, pp. 342-344, "Run, Let the Bulgine Run" (1 text, 1 tune) [AbEd, p. 257]
Sharp-EnglishFolkChanteys, XIII, p. 16, "Let the Bullgine Run" (1 text, 1 tune)
Terry-TheShantyBook-Part1, #21, "Oh run, let the Bullgine run" (1 text, 1 tune)
ST Hugi342 (Full)
Roud #4711
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Roll the Cotton Down" (tune)
NOTES [31 words]: "Bullgine" was American Negro slang for a railway engine. - SL
(We might add that, in the early days of steamships, it was not unusual for railroad engines to be used in steamships.) - RBW
Last updated in version 3.8
File: Hugi342

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography