folkstuff

—— folk family and jam

Nassau girls

Well, Nassau gals aint got no combs
Way, hey, Susianna
They comb their headswith whipperback bones
Round the bay of Mexico
Round the bay of Mexico
Way-o Susianna
Mexico's where I belong
Round the bay of Mexico

When I was a young man in my prime
I had them young girls two at time

....Gals love me so
Cos I don't tell everything I know

Now there's Nassau town a-drawing near
You can see them girls all on the pier

 

From Tom
Nassau (the Bahamas) is or was a whaling town, as well as being a port renowned for its pirate trade. I assume that whipperback is a kind of whale with pliable bones (as in corsets) and these were used as combs?