“Cain Killed Abel”

Author: Words: Merv Lilley / Music: Chris Kempster
Earliest date: 1964
Keywords: work shanty nonballad

Description

A shanty about cane-cutting (!). "I was a cane-cutter but now I'm at sea, Stoop it, and top it, and load it, my boys; Once Cain killed Abel, but it won't kill me." "I worked very hard until I went to sea/" ""This cutting of cane it isn't much fun."

References

  1. Fahey-Eureka, pp. 200-201, "Cain Killed Abel" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Manifold-PASB, p. 171, "Cane Killed Abel" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. BI, FaE200
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.