Just for the record, there is a 19th century song called "The White Squall" which I found in a collection of songs from Searsport ME. The original seems to have been a poem written in 1832 by Brevet-Major Richard Johns, while serving in the Mediterranean. He wrote the poem "shortly after the mysterious disappearance of one of his Majesty's sloops of war in the Mediterranean, supposed to have been lost in a squall of this character which, sudden and violent in its coming, too often proves fatal." (Ladies Magazine & Museum 1836) It was set to music by George Barker. THE WHITE SQUALL (Brevet-Major Richard Johns, music by George Barker) 1 Oh, the sea was bright and the barque rode well The breeze bore the tones of the vesper bell ‘T was a gallant barque with a crew as brave As e'er was launched on the heaving wave --As e'er was launched on the heaving wave For she shone in the light of declining day Each sail was set and each heart was gay For she shone in the light of declining day Each sail was set and each heart was gay And each heart was gay 2 They neared the land where in beauty smiles The sunny shores of the Grecian isles All thought of home and the welcome dear That soon should greet each wand'rer's ear That soon should greet each wand'rer's ear And in fancy joined in the social throng The festive dance and the joyous song And in fancy joined in the social throng The festive dance and the joyous song And the joyous song 3 The White Squall glides through the azure sky Bark! What means that despairing cry . Farewell the transient dreams of home 'Tis the cry for help where no help can come 'Tis the cry for help where no help can come For The White Squall glides o'er the surging wave And the barque is 'gulfed in an ocean grave For the White Squall glides o'er the surging wave And the barque is 'gulfed in an ocean grave In an ocean grave
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