What is the origin of this line?
It’s an old Scottish skipping rhyme.
2007-09-29 22:10:07 · 3 answers · asked by Retired 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
"Ally Ally O'" is melodic slang contraction for the phrase "All the Oceans...".
It was a shouted "call" for all the British sailing ships across the oceans to return home to their families safe and soon before the winter.
Derived from Old English verse:
"From all across the oceans
Sail fast and true to be with us."
2007-09-30 00:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by angelthe5th 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have heard this song in various parts of the UK, I don't think it is unique to Scotland. I have heard that the 'ally, ally O' through which the big ship sailed was the Manchester Ship Canal. Why the last day of September, I don't know. I've googled 'nursery rhymes' 'skipping songs' and the words of the song but haven't found anything.
2007-09-30 06:27:13 · answer #2 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its the last day of the sailing season after which the boats are put in moor for the winter
2007-09-30 05:16:23 · answer #3 · answered by failte1950 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋