Oh ho, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley-o
Oh ho, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley-o
And in that bog there was a hole,
A rare hole, a rattlin’ hole!
Hole in the bog,
– and the bog down in the valley-oh
Flea
Feather
Bird
Egg
Nest
Twig
Branch
Limb
Tree
Hole
Bog
by Nancy Kerr
Hand me down some changing rhyme
Some embraces never bind
Oh hand me down your dancing line
Then I'll know I'm home
Then I'll know I'm homeWhen I arrived in this old town
Hand me down, oh, hand me down
When I arrived in this old town
Some forty voices they gathered round
And I was coming home
I was coming home
Hand me down ...Some go ahead, some stay behind
Hand me down, oh, hand me down
Some go ahead, some stay behind
We navigate by the souls we find
And I am coming home
I am coming home
Hand me down ...I’m navigating by one more star
Hand me down, oh, hand me down
I’m navigating by one more star
It’s shining bright to show I’ve come this far
And I am coming home
I am coming home
Hand me down ...
Hand me down ...I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
My love, she came, dressed all in white
Lowlands away
I dreamed my love came in my sleep
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep
Lowlands away
She came to me at my bedside
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
All dressed in white, like some fair bride
Lowlands away
And bravely in her bosom fair
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
Her red, red rose, my love did wear
Lowlands away
She made no sound, no word she said
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
And then I knew my love was dead
Lowlands away
Then I awoke to hear the cry
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
Oh, watch on deck, oh, watch, ahoy!
Lowlands away
If I were a marryin’ man,
I’d marry a piper’s daughter.
If I were a marryin’ man,
I’d marry a piper’s daughter.
‘Cause she’d blow hard,
and I’d blow hard,
and we’d blow hard together.
Blowin’ hard in the middle of the night,
Blowin’ hard forever!
If I were a marryin’ man,
I’d marry a plumber’s daughter.
If I were a marryin’ man,
I’d marry a plumber’s daughter.
‘Cause she’d lay pipe,
and I’d lay pipe,
and we’d lay pipe together.
Layin’ pipe in the middle of the night,
Layin’ pipe forever!
If I were a marryin’ man,
I’d marry a farmer’s daughter.
If I were a marryin’ man,
I’d marry a farmer’s daughter.
‘Cause she’d raise cock,
and I’d raise cock,
and we’d raise cock together.
Raisin’ cock in the middle of the night,
Raisin’ cock forever!
I first heard this from Jimmy Kelly in Princeton, BC, Canada in 2025.
By Judy B. Goodenough
Little piggy hollered in the middle of the night,
“Tell me now, Mama, I wanna get it right.
What’ll I be when I get big?”
“Hush,” said his mama, “You’re gonna be a pig.
CHORUS
“That’s how it is when you get older,
“You’re bacon, butt, and picnic shoulder.
“All my sons and all my daughters
“Are hocks and hams and tails and trotters.”
“Oh, no,” said the piggy, “That’s mighty hard,
“There’s more to me than loin and lard.
“I can walk and talk, I’m young and strong.”
“Hush,” said his mama, “Not for long.”
“Oh, no,” said the piggy, and he started to howl,
“There’s more to me than cheek and jowl.
“I’m pink and pretty, I can sing and dance.”
“Hush,” said his mama, “You’ll never get a chance.”
“Oh, no,” said the piggy, “I’ll show you all.”
He went under the fence and over the wall.
He ran and he ran till the moon went down;
He ran and he ran till he came to a town.
With a kink in his tail and a wink in his eye,
He put on a hat and he put on a tie;
He parted his hair, bought a diamond ring,
And nobody noticed anything.
“Oh, see,” said the piggy, “I’m one of you.”
And everyone said, “How true, how true.”
He paid his money and he lived in style;
Sometimes he sang with half a smile:
He’s a big boar now, he’s executive pork,
And he eats his vittles with a knife and fork;
He often thinks of the lonesome tune
His mama sang by the light of the moon:
by Bevan Bartlett
(I start the chorus on C5)
Chorus
Get drunk and yell, get drunk and yell
Down by the pump station, but we’re too drunk to smell
Get drunk and yell, get drunk and yell
All my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
(I start verses on G#4)
V1 (Bevan Bartlett)
Gather round me my friends and I’ll sing you a song
And I’ll try not to make it too mournful or long
Although these are the songs that I do love so well
All my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
V2 (Archie Stapleton)
On jolly occasions such as these here
Some like to sip slowly on three percent beer
But three’s not enough as they gladly will tell
For my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
V3 (Dylan Brown)
The songs that we sing tell a sorrowful tell
Songs of killing a man or of hunting a whale
I like songs of Gil Brenton or Frobisher as well (?)
But my friends they would rather just get drunk and yell
V4 (Seamus Lahey)
It’s the end of the night and it’s time to move on
I’ve drunk my last beer and I’ve sung my last song
But as I go to leave and to bid them farewell
All my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
V5 (Rob Ely)
I’m up in the bleachers intent on the game
To follow the action’s the reason I came
If they’d pay attention it sure would be swell
But my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
V6 (Peter Rothbart)
As winter arrives and the solstice draws near
We spread season’s greetings and holiday cheer
But there’s no Let It Snow, Deck The Halls, or Noel
For my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
V7 (Peter Rothbart)
We’re in lotus pose at the yoga retreat
I focus my breathing and center my chi
I’ve got balance to find and desires to quell
But my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
V8 (Peter Rothbart)
We’re drifting through space on the Enterprise D
After fighting the Borg with the rest of Starfleet
While I’m making repairs to the starboard nacelle
All my friends, they would rather just get drunk and yell
Who here drinks at the sea port?
One last time before we go to sea
Who here drinks at the sea port?
I tell you, sir, indeed I do
Bound away next morning
Bound for old cape horn again
Who here drinks at the sea port?
I tell you, sir, indeed I do
Who here drinks at Jules Mae?
Who here drinks at St. Andrews?
etc…
Jean Ritchie
(I sing this starting on D#4)
Bright is the morning and brisk is the weather;
Steady the wind o’er the sweet singing sea.
Proudly, the tall ship arides in the harbor;
Come fare away with me.
Marnie, come fare away,
Come fare away with me;
There’s an island of dreams
Over the rolling sea.
Sails at the ready, we’re bound for Newfoundland;
Hasten, my darling, and do not delay.
Trees tall and green there, and fish by the millions;
Come fare away with me.
Leave your belongings, for things do but bind us;
Hemmed in, the life here it won’t do for me.
Fretting and trouble, we’ll leave them behind us;
There is a land that’s free.
Lace on your stout shoes of good highland leather;
Bring a warm shawl and a cup for the tea.
There’ll be a new life, we’ll build it together;
Come fare away with me.
Oh tell me master stevedore, how you stow your cargo?
Way-hay-hay sing Sunnydore
Oh tell me master stevedore, how you store your cargo?
Bound down Trinidad to look for Sunnydore
So booch free me bully boys, a burton in the archway
Way-hay-hay sing Sunnydore
Said booch free me bully boys, a burton in the archway
Bound down Trinidad to look for Sunnydore
Oh Trinidad, Oh Trinidad you pretty little harbour
Trinidad, Oh Trinidad you pretty little harbour
What will you do with Sunnydore if ever you should find her
Roll her in the grass my boys, all among the clover
Well tell me mister barber, how do you shave your customers?
I take ’em by the noses and scrape ’em neath the chin-e-os
So hoist em high, an let em dry, the old man’s all in clover
Said hoist em high, an let em dry come rock an roll me over
So tell me mister stevedore, how you stow your cargo?
Oh Tell me mister stevedore how you store your cargo?
Bound down Trinidad to look for Sunnydore
– down Trinidad to look for Sunnydore
– down Trinidad to look for Sunnydore
(I start this on D4, G4)
A soldier and a sailor was a'walking one day
Said the soldier to the sailor
I will teach you to pray
And if we have one prayer
May we also have ten
May we have a bloody litany
Said the sailor Ah-men
May we have a bloody litany
May we have a bloody litany
May we have a bloody litany
Said the Sailor Ah-men
Now the first thing that we'll pray for
We shall pray for some beer
Oh glory, oh glory, that will bring us good cheer
And if we have one pint
May we also have ten
May we have a bloody brewery
Said the sailor Ah-men
May we have a bloody brewery (x3)
Said the sailor Ah-men
Now the next thing that we'll pray for
We’ll pray for some cash
Oh glory, oh glory, we throw a big bash
And if we have one pound
May we also have ten
May we have the Bank of England
Said the sailor Ah-men
May we have the Bank of England (x3)
Said the sailor Ah-men
One more thing that we'll pray for
Is a company fine
A chorus of voices, not just yours and mine
And if we have one song
May we also have ten
May we have a shanty sing-a-long
Said the sailor Ah-men
May we have a shanty sing-a-long (x3)
Said the sailor Ah-men
Now the last thing that we’ll pray for
We will pray for some peace
From Norway to Chile
From China to Greece
And if we have one year
May we also have ten
May there never be another war
Said the sailor Ah-men
May there never be another war
Said the sailor Ah-men
From Port Hardy one morning I cast off my line
The sea was all smooth and the weather just fine
And for Castle Rock, I was headed away
To where the coho flash silver all over the bay
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
It was just before dawn when I reached the fish ground
So I lowered my poles and I let my lines down
I lit up my pipe and I waited and prayed
To see the Coho flash silver all over the bay
See the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Well the sun came up shining and so did the fish
All the bells were ringing, what more could I wish,
And the gurdies were humming, I was making it pay
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Well they bit all that morning ’til just after noon
They’re so hungry they’d strike at an old leather shoe,
This must be heaven, to myself I did say
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
When I tied up that night they asked “How did you do?”
And I showed them silver darlings, two-hundred and two
They said, You’re high liner, the best here today,
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Now there’s doctors and lawyers and bankers and more
Your wheelers and dealers with big deals galore
But let me be a troller and king for a day
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Where the Coho flash silver all over the bay
Roud 4746
I've traveled all over this country
Prospecting and digging for gold
I've tunneled, hydraulicked and cradled
And I have been frequently sold
And I have been frequently so-o-old
And I have been frequently sold
I've tunneled, hydraulicked and cradled
And I have been frequently sold!
For one who gained riches by mining
Perceiving that hundreds grew poor
I made up my mind to try farming
The only pursuit that was sure
The only pursuit that was su-u-ure
The only pursuit that was sure
I made up my mind to try farming
The only pursuit that was sure!
So, rolling my grub in my blanket
I left all my tools on the ground
And started one morning to shank it
For the country they call Puget Sound
For the country they call Puget Sou-ou-ound
For the country they call Puget Sound
I started one morning to shank it
For the country they call Puget Sound!
Arriving flat broke in midwinter
I found the land shrouded in fog
And covered all over with timber
Thick as hairs on the back of a dog
Thick as hairs on the back of a do-o-og,
Thick as hairs on the back of a dog
And covered all over with timber
Thick as hairs on the back of a dog!
I staked me a claim in the forest
And sat myself down to hard toil
For six years I chopped and I labored
But I never got down to the soil
But I never got down to the soi-oi-oil
I never got down to the soil
For six years I chopped and I labored
But I never got down to the soil!
I tried to get out of the country
But poverty forced me to stay
Until I became an old settler
Then nothing could drive me away
Then nothing could drive me away-ay-ay
Then nothing could drive me away!
Until I became an old settler
Then nothing could drive me away!
And now that I'm used to the climate
I think that if a man ever found
A place to live easy and happy,
That Eden is on Puget Sound
That Eden is on Puget Sou-ou-ound,
That Eden is on Puget Sound
A place to live easy and happy
That Eden is on Puget Sound!
No longer the slave of ambition
I laugh at the world and its shams
As I think of my pleasant condition
Surrounded by acres of clams
Surrounded by acres of cla-a-ams
Surrounded by acres of clams
As I think of my pleasant condition
Surrounded by acres of clams!
Traditional Folk
Variant 2025
Fare thee well, my Juliana
Shallow, oh, shallow brown
Fare thee well, my Juliana
Shallow, oh, shallow brown
For I'm bound away to leave you
Yes I'm bound away to leave you
Going to ship on board a whaler
Going to ship on board a whaler
And it's shallow in the morning
Just as the day was dawning
Yes, our packet leaves tomorrow
And it fills me heart with sorrow
For I’m bound away to leave you
But I never will deceive you
O you are me only treasure
And I love ye still full measure
Fare thee well, my Juliana
And it’s goodbye, my Juliana
Chorus:
What’s the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should he grieve?
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like the leaves we must wither and soon fade away.
As I was a-walking one morning at ease
A-viewing the leaves as they hung from the trees,
They were all in full motion appearing to be
And those that were withered, they fell from the trees.
Chorus:
What’s the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should he grieve?
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like the leaves we must wither and soon fade away.
If you’d seen those trees just a few days ago
They were all in full motion, appearing to grow.
A frost came upon them and withered them all,
And the rains came upon them, and down they did fall.
Chorus:
What’s the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should he grieve?
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like the leaves we must wither and soon fade away.
Go down to the graveyard, and there you will see,
Those that have passed like a leaf from a tree.
When age and affliction upon them did call,
Like a leaf they did wither and down they did fall.
Chorus:
What’s the life of a man any more than a leaf?
A man has his seasons so why should he grieve?
Although in this world we appear fine and gay,
Like the leaves we must wither and soon fade away.
Traditional
Adapted by Clayton Kennedy, Nils Brown, and Seán Dagher, 2014
Adapted 2025
I dreamed a dream the other night
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
My love, she came, dressed all in white
Lowlands away
I dreamed my love came in my sleep
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep
Lowlands away
She came to me at my bedside
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
All dressed in white, like some fair bride
Lowlands away
And bravely in her bosom fair
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
A red, red rose, my love did wear
Lowlands away
She made no sound, no word she said
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
And then I knew my love was dead
Lowlands away
Then I awoke to hear the cry
Lowlands, lowlands away, my John
Oh, watch on deck, oh, watch, ahoy!
Lowlands away
Oh the rain, it rains all day long
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley
And the northern wind, it blows so strong
Bold Riley-o has gone away
Goodbye my sweetheart, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley
Goodbye my darling, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o has gone away
Well, come on Mary, don’t look so glum
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley
Come white stocking day you’ll be drinking rum
Bold Riley-o has gone away
Goodbye my sweetheart, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley
Goodbye my darling, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o has gone away
We’re outward bound for the Bengal Bay
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley
Get bending, my lads, it’s a hell of a way
Bold Riley-o has gone away
Goodbye my sweetheart, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o, Bold Riley
Goodbye my darling, goodbye my dear-o
Bold Riley-o has gone away
Book by Suzanne Collins
Song by James Newton Howard
Variant 2025
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where they hanged a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
To meet once again under the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
-Where a dead man called out
For his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
To meet once again under the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
-Where I told you to run
So we would both be free
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
To meet once again under the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
-Wear a necklace of rope
Side by side with me
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
To meet once again under the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where they hanged a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
To meet once again under the hanging tree
Traditional
Arrangement by The Clancy Brothers, 1959
Variant as heard in Seattle, WA, 2025
One pleasant evening in the month of June
As I was sitting with my glass and spoon
A small bird sat on an ivy bunch
And the song he sang was the jug of punch
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
A small bird sat on an ivy bunch
And the song he sang was the jug of punch
What more diversion can a man desire
Than to sit him down by an alehouse fire
Upon his knee a pretty wench
Aye, and on the table a jug of punch
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Upon his knee a pretty wench
Aye, and on the table a jug of punch
Let the doctors come with all their art
They’ll make no impression upon my heart
Even the cripple forgets his hunch
When he’s snug outside of a jug of punch
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Even the cripple forgets his hunch
When he’s snug outside of a jug of punch
And if I get drunk, well the money’s me own
And them don’t like me they can leave me alone
I’ll tune my fiddle and I’ll rosin my bow
And I’ll be welcome wherever I go
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
I’ll tune my fiddle and I’ll rosin my bow
And I’ll be welcome wherever I go
And when I’m dead and in my grave
No costly tombstone will I crave
Just lay me down in my native peat
With a jug of punch at my head and feet
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo, too-ra-loo-ra-lay
Just lay me down in my native peat
With a jug of punch at my head and feet
[Repeat last chorus if desired]
Traditional
Variant heard at Northwest Folklife 2025, Seattle, WA
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Day is a breaking in my soul
Oh where are our dear Mothers
Oh where are our dear Mothers
Oh where are our dear Mothers
Day is a breaking in my soul
Oh where are our dear Fathers
Oh where are our dear Fathers
Oh where are our dear Fathers
Day is a breaking in my soul
Some are gone to the river praying
Some are gone to the river praying
Some are gone to the river praying
Day is a breaking in my soul
Some are gone to heaven shouting
Some are gone to heaven shouting
Some are gone to heaven shouting
Day is a breaking in my soul
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Bright morning stars are rising
Day is a breaking in my soul
by Bob Watson
Lyrics referenced from The Stranded Wailers:
https://www.thestrandedwailers.com/mollymauk
Now the southern ocean is a lonely place
The storms are many and the shelter’s scarce
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Over troubled waters and the restless skies
You’ll see those mollymauks rise and dive
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Now the mollymauk glides on them great, white wings
And lord, what a lonesome song he sings
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
He’s got no compass and he’s got no gear
And nobody knows where the mollymauk steers
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
He’s the ghost of a sailor, or so I’ve heard say
His body had sank and his soul flew away
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
He’s got no haven and he’s got no home
Bound evermore to wheel and roam
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
When I gets too old and I sail no more
Set me adrift far away from shore
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
You can cast me loose and set me free
I’ll keep that big bird company
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean, sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Song by: Mary Garvey
Performed by: Brownsmead Flats
Song Notes: by Alice Winship
Lyrics referenced from Maritime Folknet
It’s not very far to Astoria’s bar
But a very long journey it can be
It can start at the mouth of the mighty blue river
And end at the bottom of the sea.
And the river still shines and shimmers in the light
As it did in my grandfather’s day
When they rowed all night and fished in the morning
And lived in Willapa Bay.
When the tide is rough, so very, very rough,
So rough that you cannot stand;
It drives the little fish right into the nets,
And the boats right into the sand.
In the mist and the rain, the labor and the pain
We know what the fishing here is worth
It is worth more than gold as we suck ’em from the hold;
It is worth all the treasures of the earth.
It’s not very far to Astoria’s bar
But a very long journey it can be
It can start at the mouth of the mighty blue river
And end at the bottom of the sea.
And the river still shines and shimmers in the light
As it did in my grandfather’s day
When they rowed all night and fished in the morning
And lived in Willapa Bay.
Oh, that prickle-eye bush,
It pricks my heart full sore,
And if ever I get out of this prickle-eye bush,
I never will get in it any more!
Oh hangman, stay your hand
Oh, stay it for a while
For I think I see my mother coming over yonder stile
Oh, mother- have you brought me gold?
Or silver to set me free?
Or have you come to see me hung
By my neck from the gallows tree?
No- I have not brought you gold
Or silver to set you free
For- I’ve just come to see you hung
By your neck from the gallows tree
Oh, that prickle-eye bush,
It pricks my heart full sore,
And if ever I get out of this prickle-eye bush,
I never will get in it any more!
[Repeat for “father”, “sister”, “brother”]
Oh hangman, stay your hand
Oh, stay it for a while
For I think I see my true love coming over yonder stile
Oh, true love- have you brought me gold?
Or silver to set me free?
Or- have you come to see me hung
By my neck from the gallows tree?
Yes- I have brought you gold
And silver to set you free
For- I’ve not come to see you hung
By your neck from the gallows tree
Oh, that prickle-eye bush,
It pricks my heart full sore,
And- now that I’m out of this prickle-eye bush,
I never will get in it any more!
And- now that I’m out of this prickle-eye bush,
I never will get in it any more!
The 1951 recording of Walter Lucas:
Traditional folk song
Adapted by The Watersons, 1966
Variant 2025
Come all you bold heroes, give an ear to me song
I’ll sing in the praise of good brandy and rum
There’s a clear crystal fountain near England shall roll
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
From France we do get brandy, from Jamaica comes rum
Sweet oranges and apples from Portugal come
But stout and strong cider are England’s control
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
My wife she do disturb me when I’m laid at my ease
For she does as she likes and she says as she please
My wife she’s a devil, her heart’s black as coal
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
(Alternatively)
My love he do disturb me when I’m laid at my ease
For he does as he likes and he says as he please
My love he’s the devil, his heart’s black as coal
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
My father he do lie in the depths of the sea
No stone at his head, but what matters to he?
There’s a clear crystal fountain near England shall roll
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
I’ll fathom the bowl, I’ll fathom the bowl,
Give me the punch ladle, I’ll fathom the bowl
Traditional Folk Song
Adapted by Nathan Evans and Santiano, 2021
Variant, 2025
There once was a ship that put to sea
The name of the ship was the Billy O’ Tea
The winds blew up, her bow dipped down
Oh blow, my bully boys, blow (Huh!)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
She’d not been two weeks from shore
When down on her a right whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore
He’d take that whale in tow (Huh!)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
Before the boat had hit the water
The whale’s tail came up and caught her
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her
When she dived down low (Huh!)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
No line was cut, no whale was freed
The captain’s mind was not of greed
And he belonged to the Whaleman’s creed
She took that ship in tow (huh)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
For forty days or even more
The line went slack then tight once more
All boats were lost, there were only four
But still that whale did go (Huh!)
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
As far as I’ve heard, the fight’s still on
The line’s not cut, and the whale’s not gone
The Wellerman makes his regular call
To encourage the captain, crew and all
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
One day, when the tonguing is done
We’ll take our leave and go
Traditional
Adapted by Ninebarrow 2018
Variant by Lixie 2025
I start this song on C4 -> F4 (F major)
Clouds are upon the summer sky,
There’s thunder in the wind.
Pull on, pull on and homeward hie,
Ne’er give one look behind.
Row on, row on, another day
May shine with brighter light.
Ply, ply the oars and pull away,
There’s dawn beyond the night.
Bear where thou goest the words of love,
Say all that words can say.
Changeless affection, strength to prove,
But speed upon the way.
Row on, row on, another day
May shine with brighter light.
Ply, ply the oars and pull away,
There’s dawn beyond the night.
Like yonder river would I glide
To where my heart would be,
My barque would soon outsail the tide
That hurries to the sea.
Row on, row on, another day
May shine with brighter light.
Ply, ply the oars and pull away,
There’s dawn beyond the night.
But yet a star shines constant still
Through yonder cloudy sky,
And hope as bright my bosom fills
From faith that cannot die.
Row on, row on, another day
May shine with brighter light.
Ply, ply the oars and pull away,
There’s dawn beyond the night.
Row on, row on, God speed the way,
Thou canst not linger here.
Storms hang about the close of day,
Tomorrow may be clear.
Row on, row on, another day
May shine with brighter light.
Ply, ply the oars and pull away,
There’s dawn beyond the night.
Traditional Folk Song
Adapted by the Dreadnoughts, 2019
Variant by Lixie, 2025
Oh, the pilot, he looks out ahead
With the hands on the cane, heavin’ of the lead
And the old man roars to wake the dead
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
And now we pass the lizard lights
At the start, me boys will heave in sight
Soon we’re abreast of the Isle of Wight
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
And now when we get to the black wall dock
And them pretty young girls come out in flocks
With their short-legged drawers and long-tailed frocks
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
And now the bar-ship is in sight
We are picking on down to the old rock light
Gonna get the ol’ stick taped tonight
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Well, then we’ll walk down limelight way
And with all the girls we will spend our pay
We’ll not see more ’til another day
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
And soon we’ll see old Holyhead
A-no more salt beef, no salt bread
I catch my Jenny and it’s off to bed
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh, come and get your oats, my son