"New York Girls", also known as "Can't You Dance the Polka," is a traditional sea shanty. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 486. It was collected by W. B. Whall in the 1860s. It was printed in 1910 in "Ships, Sea Songs and Shanties". An earlier book "Sailors' Songs or Chanties", first edition 1887, by Davis and Tozer contains a version, but does not specify when it was collected.
Lyrics.
The lyrics have many variations, but almost all versions contain this chorus, sung after each verse:
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A less common alternate chorus is:
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The lyrics are often a cautionary tale of a sailor being tricked by a pretty girl who spends all of his money and in some cases robs him. This is summed up in these verses found in some versions:
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Recordings.
The song has been recorded by many artists:
References.
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