Sail Away, Ladies, Sail Away

U.S.A.

HISTORY AND SONG NOTES

Sail Away, Ladies, Sail Away is an American folktune, with its origins in the south eastern United States. The exact origin of the song is unclear, but the earliest known recordings of the song appeared in the 1920s.

There are several commonly sung verses in addition to the lyrics in the score above:

Got a home in Tennessee, sail away ladies, sail away

That’s the place I wanna be, sail away ladies, sail away…

If I get my new house done, sail away ladies, sail away

I’ll give the old one to my son, sail away ladies, sail away…

Hush little baby, now don’t you cry, sail away ladies, sail away

You’ll be an angel by and by, sail away ladies, sail away…

Instrument Playing

Sail Away Ladies can be used for singing and group instrument playing; the children can show the beat of the music on small percussion instruments, drums, or by using their hands to make sound. Click here to read more about group instrument playing.

Movement

This song also works as a movement or dancing activity due to it’s joyful mood and uptempo feel; the children may enjoy dancing with scarves, either while you sing, or when listening to the recording below. Click here to read more about group movement activities.