And another collected by Peacock.

Mick

---

THE SHIP THAT NEVER CAME

Right well I do remember well when I lay down to sleep
I saw a child 'bout three years old on his mother's breast and weep;
Saying, "Once I had a father dear who did me kind embrace,
If he was here he'd wipe the tears rolls down my mother's face."

"Oh mother dearest mother dear oh mother come tell me why,
All other ships are coming home why do you weep and cry?      
All other ships are coming home leaving those white waves' foam;
My father's ship she's not come yet why do she tarry long?"

Your father's ship my gentle boy his face you will never see,
For the hurricanes of the ocean swept his body in the sea;
The fishes of the ocean swims over your father's breast,
And his body lays in motion and I hope his soul's at rest.

Right well I do remember well when he took me on his knee.
Saying, "Here is some of the fruits I've brought for thee from Indie free."
Right well I do remember well when he wove his hat in hand,
And the last words, "God bless you both," as he sailed from the Strand.

You are the only one that's leaved to me I press you to my side."
Where they both lay down together and the son and mother died. (sung to last 2 lines of melody)


Source: Guigne: The Forgotten Songs of the Newfoundland Outports. Collected by Peacock from Everett Bennett, St.Paul's, August 1958