077 - Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)


EN
In the case of this song, Stan Hugill again mentioned the source "Sang under Segel", Sigurd's Sternwall's Swedish shanty book (Reference to its being sung at the capstan is to be found in the Preface, page 12). From this book, Stan Hugill gives us two verses and melody to this beautiful song, the construction of the verses is really close to Stephen Foster's version of "Oh Susanna".
Additionally, worth noting this version is a personal translation of Stan Hugill, so I think it deserves to singing it.
"Shanties from the Seven Seas" by Stan Hugill (1st ed: p 117).


Susannavisan (Stan Hugill Translation)

Oh, I was born on Sweden's Coast,
Where the fine ships sail along,
And a fine ship was my heart's desire,
Since I was very young.

But the first time that he went aboard,
He kissed me tenderly,
And unto me he said these words,
'You are all the word to me.'

   - Oh, Susanna, now don't ye cry for me,
   - Be faithful to your sailor boy
   - Till I come home from sea.

             *2*
On a long voyage he went away,
I sat alone and sighed.
And when the wind was howling wild,
'Tis oft at night I cried.

But when the tears ran down my cheecks,
My sailor boy came home.
He sang to me in deep content,
From these arms I'll never roam.

   - Oh, Susanna, oh, don't ye cry for me,
   - I'm homeward bound to you at last,
   - And now I'm safe with thee.