Lyr Req/Add: Betsy Miller

Subject: Lyr Req: Betsy Miller
From: GUEST,Darlodave
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 08:38 AM

An interesting song sung recently by Penni Mclaren-Walker titled Betsy Miller, the first woman sea captain from Selkirk, Scotland. Can anyone provide the lyrics please.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Betsy Miller
From: GUEST,Guest Helen Pitt
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 11:51 AM

Hi Dave

It's entirely possible that Penni may have a song about Betsey Millar (she has lots of great songs), but it may have been one that I sing if you heard it at Scarborough Seafest. Words by my singing partner of 20 years ago, Colin McLelland, and tune by me.

If this is the chorus
"On board the good ship Clytus, Betsy Millar's story's told
As she sailed from Saltcoats Harbour with black diamonds in her hold"

sounds familiar, I'll post the rest of the words later tonight (just about to finish work and shut down this computer!

Cheers
Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Betsy Miller
From: GUEST,Darlodave
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 08:23 AM

Yes this is the song, please accept my apologies for forgetting you were the singer. Many thanks.

Subject: ADD: Captain Betsy Millar
From: GUEST,Helen Pitt
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 10:43 AM

No Probs - I'm flattered to be confused with Penni! Great singer. Anyway, here's the song


CAPTAIN BETSY MILLAR
(words by Colin McLelland, melody by Helen Pitt)

Her father died when she was young
His shipping debts were steep.
He left her two young sisters
And his quayside house tae keep.
But Betsy wouldn't hear of it.
No Housemaid's life for she
She joined the good ship Clytus
And she sailed the Irish Sea

      CHORUS:
      On board the good ship Clytus Betsy Millar's story's told
      As she sailed from Saltcoats harbour with black diamonds in her hold.

The sailors said she wouldn't last
The sea she couldn't thole
Nor would she flirt in all the dirt
O' a cargo full of coal.
But she mucked in wi' all the men
Joined them in their crack.
She sailed them off to Belfast Lough
And safely brought them back.

In the registry of tonnage
Betsy Millar's name is penned
Entered as a shipmaster
Alongside all the men
Her father, Robert Millar
Could surely not foretell
How she'd skipper all his sailing lads
And Clytus brig as well.

Alas poor Betsy passed away
in 1864
They laid her in the kirkgate
All beneath her native shore.
She sailed the seas for 30 years
Till she was old and grey
And braved the rocks and raging seas
Until her dying day.

From Ardrossan to the USA
Australia to Japan
Betsy Millar's name is known
By every sailing man.
And when you talk of equal rights
Just hear what I've to say.
Twas Captain Betsy Millar
Who stood up and led the way.


Glad you liked the song.
Cheers
Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Betsy Miller
From: GUEST,Nanette Hall. Australia
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 08:55 PM

What a thrill to see the printed lyrics. Whilst researching our family tree have just discovered Bettsy Miller is the sister of our great great grandfather Robert.