Videos & Photos

The origin and history of this song is somewhat unclear. It was not noted or heard of until it featured on a 1962 album called 'A Sailors Garland' sung by A.L Lloyd. He apparently collected this song from sailors in Bristol who used to sail on the West Indian Sugar and Rum Trade.
We recorded this song on our debut album 'One for the Pot'

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Oh the rain it raineth all day long,
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
And them northern wind, are blowing strong
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Chorus:
Goodbye my sweetheart, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
Goodbye my darlin', goodbye my dear-o,
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Oh the anchor's aweigh and the sails are set
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
And them Liverpool Judies we'll ne'er forget
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Chorus

We're outward bound for the Bengal Bay,
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
Keep rowing boys, it's a bloody long way
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Chorus

Cheer up Mary Ellen, don't be so glum,
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley,
Come White-stocking Day we'll drink hot rum
Bold Riley-o has gone away.

Chorus.

A steamboat work song, the origins of which are extensively debated online, but remain frustratingly unclear. According to the Illinois Museum, the J. M. White was an American vessel from Mississippi, launched in 1876. It seems to have been an unlucky one; although fast and powerful, it almost bankrupted the Captain, John W. Tobin, and was destroyed by fire in 1888.
You can find Sugar in the Hold on our latest album 'Of Labour & Love'.

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Well, I wish I was in Mobile Bay,
Screwing cotton all the day
But I'm stowing sugar in the hold below,
Below, below, below

Chorus:
Hey, ho, below, below
Stowing sugar in the hold below
Hey, ho, below, below
Stowing sugar in the hold below

The J.M. White, she's a new design
Stern to stem she's mighty fine
She can beat any boat on the New Orleans line
Stowing sugar in the hold below

Chorus

"Tell the mate we got bad news.
Can't get no steam from the fire in the flue"
The engineer he did bellow
Stowing sugar in the hold below

Chorus

The captain's on the quarter deck

Scratchin' away at his old neck
"Heave the larboard lead, and let her go"
Stowing sugar in the hold below

Chorus x2

Live Performances

'Of Labour & Love' Photo Shoot by Mark Brimacombe

Workshop Materials

Bold Riley

Sugar in the Hold

Christmas Specials