DAVEY LOWSTON

Oh me name is Davey Lowston, I did seal, I did seal
Oh me name is Davey Lowston, I did seal
Though my men and I were lost and our very lives it cost
I did seal, I did seal, I did seal.

We were set down in Open Bay, were set down, were set down
We set down in Open Bay, we set down
We were left, we gallant men, never more to sail again
For to sail, for to sail, for to sail.

Our captain, John Bedar, he set sail, he set sail
Yes, all for Port Jackson, he set sail
“I’ll return men, without fail”, but, he foundered in the gale
And went down, and went down, and went down.

We cured ten thousand skins for the fur, for the fur
We cured ten thousand skins for the fur
Brackish water, putrid seal, we did all of us fall ill
For to die, for to die, for to die.

Come all you lads who sail upon the sea, sail the sea
Come all you jacks who sail upon the sea
Though the schooner “Governor Bligh”, took on some who did not die
Never seal, never seal, never seal.

Oh me name is Davey Lowston, I did seal, I did seal
Oh me name is Davey Lowston, I did seal
Where the icebergs tower high, it’s a pitiful place to die
Never seal, never seal, (never) seal.


Regarded as a traditional New Zealand song, though many scholars believe it originated on the Sydney docks - and it was collected on t’other side of the world. No matter. It’s a goodun!

Here is a version by Qld harmony group “Work in Progress” :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvDn3tQ7cTI

Cheers, R-J