Digital Tradition Mirror

The Big Stone Jar

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Big Stone Jar

In 'Frisco town there lived a man and Jack Marr was his name;
And in the days of the Cape Horn Trade, he played the Shanghai game.
His wife's name was Mary Ann, sailors knew both near and far;
An' when they [played the Shanghai game, the used the big stone jar.

cho: In the Old Virginia Lowlands, Lowlands Low
     In the Old Virginia Lowlands Low.

The pair thcy played the Shanghai game, wuz known both near an' far
They nevcr missed a lucky chance to use the big stone jar.

A hell-ship she wuz short o' hands, o' full red-blooded tars,
Missus an' Larry would prime the beer in their ol' big stone jar.

Shellbacks an' farmers jist the same sailed into Larry Marr's,
And sailed away around the Horn, helped by the big stone jar.

In 'Frisco town their names is known, as is the Cape Horn Bar,
An' the dope they serve out to ol' Jack, from the big stone jar.

From the Barbary Coast steer clear, me boys, an' from ol' Larry Marr,
Or else damn soon shanghaied ye'll be by Larry's big stone jar.

Shanghaied away in a skys'l-ship around Cape Horn so far,
Goodbye to all the boys an' girls an' Larry's big stone jar.

RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!