My take on Bullgine Run is that a Bullgine is the device put on the front
Of a train to clear the track of snow and ice. hence the lyrics:
In another week we’ll get more pay
Clear away the track and let the bullgine run
Tell me now are you most done?
Heave away, haul away
Off the Greenland to catch the whale
Clear away the track and let the bullgine run
If I am wrong I would really like to know.
Bill McHenry
Here’s what the Boarding Party says about Let The Bullgine Run on their
1987 Folk-Legacy album _Fair Winds And A Following Sea_:
This well-known shanty embodies both American and British influences,
And was a favorite of sailors in the Yankee packet-boats during the early
1800s. It is found in many collections … [stuff about their version
Deleted]
A variant of the whole song, reported by Whall offers a list of
Religious verses suggesting black gospel influence («Oh, de world was
Made in six days and ended on de seventh, But accordin’ to de contract
It ought of been eleven») The tune has been compared to the Irish song,
«Shule agra,» and Hugill suggests that the folk-processing of the song
Took place in the seaports of the US Gulf Coast. «Bullgine» appears to
Be a 19th century slang expression for a railroad steam engine.
Their version is:
Oh the smartest packet that you can find
A-hey, a-ho, are you most done?
Is the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line.
Clear away the track and let the bullgine run.
Chorus:
To me hey, rig-a-jig, and a low-back car,
A-hey, a-ho, are you most done?
With Liza Lee all on my knee,
Clear away the track and let the bullgine run.
Oh the Margaret Evans of the Blue Star Line,
A-hey …
She’s never a day behind her time.
Clear …
Chorus
Oh we’re outward bound for New York town.
Them Bowery gals we’ll waltz around.
Chorus
Them gals are walking on the strand.
Oh, heave a pawl and lend a hand.
Chorus
When we get back to Liverpool town,
I’ll stand ye whiskey all around.
Chorus
I had the pleasure of hearing this sung by a 3-year old at Passim!
Cindy Kallet invited her son up to the stage to sing her encore with her
And this was his favorite song at the time.
Of course none of this sheds any light on why there’s a train engine
Playing a major role in a sea shanty.