I’m making a video essay on the song and I’m not sure how to read into this line. “Sailor” doesn’t really come up as slang anywhere online. The only other mention of this term I’ve found is in Selby’s “Last Exit to Brooklyn” book, where the term just seems to be used as a descriptor of loose men. “Coupla sailors sitting at the bar” type thing. Lou has confirmed that “Sister Ray” was heavily inspired by that Selby book.

The term could also be literal, as NY is an important port city and boat workers would often stop for a few days with cash to spend, waiting for the next job and otherwise up to no good.

Any thoughts? Lyrics below.

— Rosie and Miss Rayon They’re busy waiting for her booster She just got back from Carolina Said she didn’t like the weather

They’re busy waiting for her sailor He’a drinking dressed in pink and leather He just got back from Alabama Wants to know a way to earn a dollar