Back on May 23rd, I posted Kevin Johnson’s song “THE WHALES ARE SINGING TO ME (A WHALER’S LAMENT)” and I had meant to also post Fielding & Dyer’s popular number from c.1971, loosely based on Melville’s “Moby Dick”.
Now I notice Sandra has posted in that old thread about a remake of the film/story/song, so here it is :


THE WHALE

Terry Fielding & Fred Dyer


(Refrain :) Di Di Di Di Di Di Di Di

They sailed from port one morning when the weather it was fair
A gentle breeze it pushed them and no one gave a care
They sang and danced and laughed that night and opened up a keg
They're out to catch the monster whale that took the captain's leg.

Refrain

The Captain said a piece of gold for he who sees my whale
So bend your backs and row me lads; I know that we won't fail

(Chorus :)
Bend your backs and row me lads and take me to me whale
To-night we'll sing and dance and tomorrow night we'll sail
We'll sail into the harbour; no prouder men there'll be
We'll show them all we've captured the monster from the sea.

Refrain

They saw the whale one morning when the weather it was fair
The men were white as ghosts, but the Captain didn't care
I'll take this whale myself he said; the weak can stay behind
The strong can share my glory and tonight they'll share my wine.

Refrain

The whale it came up closer; it was bigger than the sky
They lowered down the longboat and they heard the captain cry.

Chorus

The whale it came so close that it almost tipped the boat
The captain raised his spear and he rammed it down its throat
The whale it gave a mournful cry and lifted its great tail
And brought it down a-smashing on their small boat like a gale.

Now a hundred years have passed since the Captain and his men
Went below to spend their days in Davy Jones' den
The whale it goes on living but inside it wears a scar
And if you’re ever near that place, a voice calls from afar.

Chorus

We’ll show them all we've captured the monster from the sea (X3)


c.1971 and loosely based upon Herman Melville’s classic MOBY DICK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYxE5FevaYg&t=72s

[YT clip is illustrated with clips from the film “Moby Dick” with Patrick Stewart]



R-J