There's a song above, posted by Fidjit (09 Apr 09), "Channels" by Graham Penny, which describes the feelings of a merchant seaman approaching home after a long trip away.

Sometime last year Ron brought me a song which also mentions the "channel fever". He had written it to the tune of "What a friend we have in Jesus" aka "When this bloody war is over". I have been looking out for something to sing to that tune, so I thanked him for the song, filed it away and promptly forgot about it!

Fortunately I re-discovered it about a month ago, and we used it to round off our presentation of "Farewell to the Clan Line" at the recent Shanty Festival at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, where it went down very well.

It's a version of the complaining or "dripping" songs that Ron found during his time at sea. This one is about Bank Line, owned by the ANDREW WEIR SHIPPING & TRADING CO. LTD. There's a comprehensive history here:- http://www.red-duster.co.uk/AWEIR.htm .

More notes follow the song.

The Red Duster , the website of the Merchant Navy Association (and no relation of our duo "Red Duster"!) is a great resource for info on ships and shipping.

Ross