The Old She-Crab

The old she-crab: A Connecticut fishermen's song. Some verses from an unknown singer in New York, some from Sam Eskin—roving American collector—the last verse an addition of my own. In my early New York days Frank Chapman and his charming wife, Gladys Swarthout, used to listen and encourage. During the second world war Major Chapman commanded me to sing to the U.S. Marines in Quantico, Virginia. Despite the presence of some wives, Frank, who is not a double standard man, encouraged me to sing The old she-crab. I did, and though some eyebrows were raised, Frank retained his commission and I my liberty.

The Old She-Crab

The old she-crab was sittin' on a post,
Shallow-who, shallow-who,
The old she-crab was sittin' on a post,
When along came a fisherman, took her home to roast,
Singing ring-a-la, ding-a-la, doo!

When he got home the old woman was asleep,
Shallow-who, shallow-who,
When he got home the old woman was asleep;
So he put it in the piss pot there for to keep.
Singing ring-a-la, ding-a-la, doo!

The old woman got up for to do her do,
Shallow-who, shallow-who,
The old woman got up for to do her do,
And damned old she-crab grabbed her by the flue.
Singing ring-a-la, ding-a-la, doo!

What ho, says the woman, as sure as you're born,
Shallow-who, shallow-who,
What ho, says the woman, as sure as you're born,
There's a devil in the pisspot, a-sticking up his horn
Singing ring-a-la, ding-a-la, doo!

So she tosses the crab in the old man's bed
Shallow-who, shallow-who,
She tosses the crab in the old man's bed
And it bit out a chunk of the old man's head.
Singing ring-a-la, ding-a-la, doo!

Then old-she crab's scuttled off to the sea,
Shallow-who, shallow-who,
Then old-she crab's scuttles off to the sea,
Says, I might get caught but they'll never eat me.
Singing ring-a-la, ding-a-la, ring-a-la, ding-a-la, doo!