Traditional
Can’t Ya Dance the Polka
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 1]
Now, shipmates, if you’ll listen to me, I'll tell you in my song
Things that lately happened when I come home from Hong Kong
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 2]
As I walked down long side the docks, a fair maid I did meet
She asked me for to see her home and she lived on Bleecker Street
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can’t you dance the polka?
[Verse 3]
Says I, "My dear young lady, I'm a stranger herе in town
I left my ship just yesterday and for Boston I am bound"
[Chorus]
To mе, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 4]
Says she, "Well, come along with me and you will have a treat
For you shall have some brandy, dear, and something good to eat"
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 5]
When we got down to Bleecker Street, we stopped at forty-four
Her twenty so-called sisters was a-waiting at the door
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 6]
They gave me wine that tasted fine, but it went right to my head
Then they threw their clothes away and they carried me to bed
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 7]
When I awoke next morning, all naked in the dawn
My clothes and all my money and them lady friends was gone
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can't you dance the polka?
[Verse 8]
Lord, I don't miss the money as some other sailors might
But I wish I could remember if I had some fun that night
[Chorus]
To me, way, you Santee
My dear Annie
Oh, you New York gals
Can’t you dance the polka?