Here's the way I now sing it:

TOM CREAN OF ANNASCAUL
(Ballad for an unsung hero)


It's of an unsung hero that I mean for to tell you now
A native son of Ireland and if time will me allow
Of a noble-hearted Kerryman, the truth I will recall
I will sing his fame, his deeds proclaim – Tom Crean of Annascaul

In eighteen and seventy seven, a farmer's son he first saw light
And when he was young, the Gaelic tongue he spoke with great delight
He was one of ten, in that mountain glen, when the seas loud roar did call
Carefree and brave, on the ocean wave went Crean of Annascaul

On board the Ringarooma for New Zealand he set sail
As an able bodied seaman in the teeth of wind and gale
He was soon on board Discovery and with Captain Scott installed
On the high seas to Antarctica went Crean of Annascaul

For three long years in that frozen waste, he faithfully did serve
Until at last he sailed back home, on shore leave well deserved
In nineteen ten he was back again, once more for to give his all
And his burning goal was to reach the Pole – Tom Crean of Annascaul

On that fatal final journey Captain Scott he said "Turn back!"
So with Lashly and with Evans bold, Tom headed for the shack
It broke his heart for to depart and down the tears did fall
And his captain he would ne'er more see – Tom Crean of Annascaul

As they struggled back to Hut Point, sure the wind cut to the bone
Evans ill, lay stiff and still, while Tom marched on alone
For forty miles in the frost and snow he stumbled and he crawled
for to save his brave companions did, Tom Crean of Annascaul

And he made an epic voyage all in an open boat
With Worsley and with Shackleton – sure, 'twas God kept them afloat
Eight hundred miles on the ocean wide before they made landfall
To rescue gallant comrades, led by Crean of Annascaul


To late we give him honour and we celebrate his fame
While a mountain and a glacier will forever bear his name
In a tomb in Ballinacourty he awaits the final call
From his long sleep in the Kerry hills – Tom Crean of Annascaul.

So, one verse dropped, one line significantly changed line - and a host of minor adaptations to the slower, freer tune I use. I hope he doesn't mind!

Regards