I did some singing of this song today and as frequently happens with a new song I've come up with some changes. Here's how it looks now:

Inspired by "The Tryphena's Extra Hand" by C. Fox Smith
Tune: as arranged for singing by Bob Zentz as recorded on Closehauled on the Wind of a Dream, © 2007.
New words by Charles Ipcar, 10/19/09
Dedicated to Barry Finn (1951-2009)

The Press Room's Extra Voice

In the Press Room, just last evening,
The crowd was gathered there,
You could hear a concertina
Tracing out a doleful air;
And when the last verse ended,
"Good-bye My Riley-o"
I heard a voice behind me say
These words so soft and low:

"Many's a year I've sung these old songs,
And I've grown to like them well,
And I've not much hopes of heaven
And I've not much use for hell:
But so if they'll let me,
By the great hook-block I swear,
When I hear you singing shanties,
My voice will be there."

"The'll be one more voice on the chorus,
One more voice on the refrain
Be it shanty or forebitter,
You'll hear my voice again;
We'll raise them old songs to the roof
Such as shellbacks used to know
In the good old China tea trade,
Many and many a year ago."

Was he standing in the shadows?
I kind o' felt him near,
Kind o' saw him and didn't see him,
Kind o' heard him but did not hear,
And the funny thing about it
Was I somehow couldn't swear
Though I knew it sure as shooting
An Extra Voice was there.

There was one more voice on the chorus,
One more voice on the refrain
Be it shanty or forebitter,
We could hear his voice again;
We raised them old songs to the roof
Such as shellbacks used to know
In the good old China tea trade,
Many and many a year ago."

Of course, someone else may have to lead this one. I'm not sure I could do it on my own.

After the last verse should come a reprise of "London Julie;" maybe the "extra voice" will lead that one!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble