The following are from threads in the last year on a Forum search for the phrase [Sea Captain].

If any of them sound like yours, and you need help contacting the people who posted them, let us know by replying in this thread.

From: Martin Ryan. Date: 03-Jun-98 - 08:06 PM Tony Rose version of "William Gower" (usually called "The Waterford Sea Captain" in Ireland)

From: schneid@worldsite.net Date: 03-Dec-96 - 11:49 PM I am looking for the lyrics and any information about a sea-chantey of possible Maritime/Childe or New England origin entitled "The Cruel Sea Captain" Thanks for any help.

From: mryan@server1.rtc-athlone.ie Date: 04-Dec-96 - 11:32 AM Is this not the song in the database under the name "Sir William Gower"? Lots of other versions around.

From: NIGEL SELLARS Date: 04-Dec-96 - 12:05 PM I suspect this is the English song about the cruel captain who killed a young boy and is condemned for it. If so, then it is also the basis for Britten's opera "Peter Grimes." I seem to recall the song is in The Penguin Book of English Folksongs edited by Ralph Vaughan Williams and A.L. Lloyd

From: dick greenhaus Date: 06-Dec-96 - 11:00 PM Hi- Do you remember any words or phrases from the song? It sounds like either Andrew Ross (or Rose) OR The Golden Vanity (Child #286)

From: sophocleese Date: 25-Jan-00 - 02:30 PM I like Jake Thackery's "Jolly Sea Captain" at least I think that's the title.

From: harpgirl Date: 10-May-99 - 09:51 AM Dear Chris, am looking for your song but Murray and Bruce might be more successful...The Sea Captain aka Maid on The Shore is a song about love and robbery on the shore...harpgirl

From: Chris Clarke Date: 11-May-99 - 08:47 AM Lyn and Harpgirl: Thanks for responding. This song has haunted me for years. My recollection is that the origin of the song was unknown, but from the unarchaic language it would either be reworked or composed within the last couple of centuries. The book mentioned that there was a Porlock Sound which had historical records of being raided by Danes. So the song may refer to early events, or it may be a later version of an earlier song. I don't know of any other songs that refer to events that early (800-900s). The tune has unusual intervals, and doesn't sound to me as though it comes from the normal run of ballad melodies. It seems either from another tradition, or composed to sound different. I will try to think of a way of writing it down for you in text.

From: Chris Clarke Date: 12-May-99 - 08:06 AM

I have found the first page of Three Danish Galleys with the first verse and chorus, and the written music, much as I recalled it. It is on a xerox of page 187 of the book, which is A5 format, but no clue to the book title. I still want the rest of the song!

Three galleys come sailing to Porlock Side And stole me away a new wed bride Who left my true love lying dead on the shore Sailing, out and away I never shall see my dear home no more