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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

There are several Rio Grandes. One is in Mexico, and others in Brazil and Texas. The one in this shanty is probably a place in Argentina near the southern tip of South America. Most sailors in the early days headed that way via Cape Horn or the Straits of Magellan to reach the Pacific Ocean and the Spice Islands. And also to reach the West coast of the Americas.

Until the Suez (1869) and Panama (1903) canals were constructed the only other route was via South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope. This was jealously guarded by Portugal and later Spain to 'safeguard' their East India trading 'rights'. Never a deterrent to English sailors it was nevertheless a bigger risk to their commercial sponsors.

In the meantime this shanty was a mainstay of the sailors in the tall ships who plied these routes, and risked the dangers and challenges of the deep oceans.

Bound for the Rio Grande

Solo:  I'll sing you a song of the fish of the sea,
Chorus:  Oh, . . . . .Rio!
Solo:  I'll sing you a song of the fish of the sea,
Chorus:  And were bound for the Rio Grande.

Chorus:  Then away, love, away;
'Way down Rio, . . .
So fare ye well my pretty young girl.
For we're bound for the Rio Grande.

Solo:  Sing goodbye to Sally,
And goodbye to Sue,
Chorus:  Oh, . . . . .Rio!
Solo:  And you who are listening,
Goodbye to you.
Chorus:  And were bound for the Rio Grande.

Chorus:  Then away, love, away;
'Way down Rio, . . .
So fare ye well my pretty young girl.
For we're bound for the Rio Grande.

Solo:  Our ship went sailing
Out over the Bar,
Chorus:  Oh, . . . . .Rio!
Solo:  And we pointed her nose
For the Southern Star.
Chorus:  And were bound for the Rio Grande.

Chorus:  Then away, love, away;
'Way down Rio, . . .
So fare ye well my pretty young girl.
For we're bound for the Rio Grande.

Solo:  Farewell and adieu to you
Ladies of Spain,
Chorus:  Oh, . . . . .Rio!
Solo:  And we're all of us coming
To see you again.
Chorus:  And were bound for the Rio Grande.

Chorus:  Then away, love, away;
'Way down Rio, . . .
So fare ye well my pretty young girl.
For we're bound for the Rio Grande.

Are we bound for another sing?

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