Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 10:24 AM

MMario, but such lovely lines as "drew forth his compass rose, And tapped it on the rail" should surely elicit LOL or at least a ;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: MMario
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 07:49 AM

speaking strictly for myself - some of us are interested - buyt not knowledgeable enough to even kibbitz

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 10:42 PM

Odd that no one else seems interested. Sure, bat one back here for me to chew on. I'm not familiar, yet, with Irwin. Don't forget to change the subject line when you post to your own "Lyr Add:"

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: GUEST,Matthew the Chanteyman
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 06:27 PM

Yes, post it if they'll let you. On another thought, are you familiar with "The Powerful Eyes of Jeremy Tate" and other natterings by Wallace Irwin? I've had a lot of fun and success with his poems both spoken and set to music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 01:10 PM

I do love the image of the 2nd mate jumping into the waves with the anchor over his shoulder.

I have done some folk-processing of the above verses but it's pretty much the original poem, which I could post if anyone is interested, assuming my parents will trust me with their book again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: GUEST,Matthew the Chanteyman
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM

I thought that might be the case but it never hurts to ask. "A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men." :-o

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 09:07 PM

Mathew, the "Refrain" is repeating the last line of each verse. No mystery but charming nonesense.;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: GUEST,matthew the chanteyman
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 07:28 PM

What's the refrain? The same as "Jamboree"? I also know a couple of different tunes to "Jamboree". Could you clarify this mystery for me?

Subject: Sailor's Yarn, A
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:41 PM

Here's a 19th century humorous poem adapted as a forebitter for training New Age Paddy Westers.

A SAILOR'S YARN

(From A Nonesense Anthology by J. J Roche, Circa 1890, as adapted by Charlie Ipcar, 1993; tune: after Whup Jamboree/Johnie Cock)

As narrated by the second mate to one of the marines

This is the tale 'twas told to me,
By a battered and shattered son of the sea:
To me and my messmate, Silas Green,
When I was a guileless young marine. (spoken)

Em D Em G D
'Twas on the good ship Fly-ing Fish
Em D Bm
All in the Chi-na Seas;
Em D Em
With the wind a-lee, and the cap-stan free,
Bm D Bm
We set sail for Ca-diz,
Em Bm Em
Yes, we set sail for Ca-diz. (Refrain)

Said Captain Poggie on the deck
To the Mate on the mizzen hatch,
"How heads our gallant ship tonight?
Shall we wind the larboard watch?"(Refrain)

The mate drew forth his compass rose
And tapped it on the rail,
"Why, she heads to the E. S. W. by N.
In the teeth of a raging gale."(Refrain)

"Then, fly aloft to the royal top yard
And reef that spanker boom,
Bend a studding sail to the martingale
To give her weather room."(Refrain)

"Pray, bosun, down in the for'ard hold,
What water do you show?"
"Four foot and a half by the royal gaff
And rather more below."(Refrain)

"Then, sailors, collar your marline spikes
And roll each belaying pin;
Come, stir your stumps to spike the pumps,
Or more will be coming in."(Refrain)

They stirred their stumps, they spiked the pumps,
They spliced the mizzen brace;
Aloft and alow they worked, but, oh!
The water gained apace.(Refrain)

They bored a hole beneath her line
To let the water out,
But more and more with an awful roar,
The water in did spout.(Refrain)

Then up spoke the cook of our gallant ship –
And he was a lubber brave –
"I've several wives in various ports,
And me bacon I would save."(Refrain)

The next to speak was our bosun bold,
Who feared neither fish nor fog –
"'Tis dreadful to die, but 'tis worse to go dry,
And I move we pipes to grog."(Refrain)

The last to speak was our second mate,
Whose courage was second to none –
"Takes more than lip to save a ship,
I'll show you how 'tis done!"(Refrain)

Then hoasting the anchor upon his back,
He leapt into the main;
Through foam and spray he clove his way,
And sunk and rose again.(Refrain)

Through foam and spray, a league away,
The anchor stout he bore,
Till safe at last, he made it fast,
And warped the ship ashore!
Yes, he warped the ship ashore!(Refrain)

Ay, this is the tale 'twas told to me,
By that modest and truthful son of the sea;
And I envy the life of a second mate,
Though captains curse him and the sailors hate;
For he ain't like some of the swabs I've seen
Who'd go and lie to a poor marine.(Spoken)