Ali Alo

Country: France
Language: French

Genre: Shanty

A French shanty from Flandres about the toils of the French laborer. You can hear a clip
found on the Smithsonian Folkways release, “Voix du Sol Français, Vol. 1: France: Songs of the Provinces.,” and also sung by this guy in the video below.

Lyrics of All Around This World version:

Ali Alo, for Marchero, Ali ali alo
He eats the meat and gives us bones
Ali ali ali alo, Ali ali alo

Ali Alo, for Marchero, Ali ali alo
He always takes the biggest piece
Ali ali ali alo, Ali ali alo

Ali Alo, for Marchero, Ali ali alo
He doesn’t share, that isn’t fair!
Ali ali ali alo, Ali ali alo