I heard this at the George in Barnsley, Yorkshire - in 1968 or early 69 I think.

There are slight differences.

It was three score and ten boys and men were lost from Grimsby town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough many hundred more were drowned
There were herring craft and trawlers and fishing smacks as well
Went out to fight that bitter night and battle with the swell.

Methinks I see a host of craft their sails set to the breeze
As down the Humber they do glide all bound for the Northern sea
Methinks I see on each small craft a crew with heart so brave
Going to earn their daily bread upon the restless wave

Methinks I see them yet again as they leave the land behind
Casting their nets into the sea the herring shoals to find
Methinks I see them yet again and all on deck all right
with sails close reefed and decks cleared up and sidelights burning bright

October's night brought such a sight as never seen before
As masts and spars and broken yards came floating to the shore
there was many a heart of sorrow there was many a heart so brave
there was many a hearty fisherman went to a watery grave

Anne