I was sure we had this posted already, but I think it MAY have just been an honourable mention?!!


THE WRECK OF THE DANDENONG

trad

Oh, wild and furious blew the blast
And the clouds were hanging round
When the Dandenong from Melbourne sailed
For Newcastle port was bound
With eighty-three poor souls on board
Through the storm she cleaved her way
And it's sad to relate of the terrible fate
'Twas just off Jervis Bay.

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep, I dream of being warm
But through the night I have to sail, to brave this raging storm.

While steaming through the briny waves
Her propelling shaft gave way
And the waters they came pressing in
Which filled them with dismay
All hands on board did all they could
Till at length all hope was gone
And they hoisted a signal of distress
On board of the Dandenong.

It was not long until a barque
A brisk and lively crew
Came bearing down and the Captain said
"We'll see what we can do!"
Came bearing down with might and main
In spite of wind or wave
They did all they could as Christians would
Those precious lives to save.

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep, I dream of being warm
And pray the sea will leave me be, to see another dawn.

While some in boats they tried to reach
That kind and friendly barque
And numbers of their lives were saved
And then the night came on pitch dark
What mortal man then could do more
When the storm increased on strong
And the rest now sleep in the briny deep
Along with the Dandenong.

And I dream of you, I dream of sleep, I dream of coming home
But a mile of water buries me, beaneath this raging foam.


NB : using Kate Burke & Ruth Hazleton’s additional choruses…….

The Raglins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKVzCdaZ6Fk

And here’s an a cappella harmony version from trio, The Ballina Whalers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J87keZ4YLY


Notes:
John Meredith collected this song from 73 year old Mary Byrnes in 1954. In his "Folk Songs of Australia" he writes :   
"This was one of the songs learned by Mary Byrnes when she was a little girl. ….. The wreck described in the ballad ocurred in September 1876."

There’s another variant on Mark Gregory’s excellent website, along with many more Notes :   http://folkstream.com/107.html


R-J