Lyr ADD: 'Lundy Island Jim'

Subject: Lyr Req: 'Lundy Island Jim'
From: GUEST,WhiteWingsOverWater
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 10:35 AM

Trying to find lyrics for 'Lundy Island Jim', which I remember being sung around folk-clubs of North Dorset in the late 1990s.

The chorus is something like:

I'm a lowly fisher lad
Just landed from the sea
Happy as a nightingale singing in a tree
As contented as the little fish
That in the channel swim
Come wet or dry, tis same to I
I'm Lundy Island Jim

But I can't remember any verses. Any lyrics (or pointers towards where it's from) would be very appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Lundy Island Jim'
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 07:06 PM

There is a recording by Rupert Kirby on SoundCloud, but I can't get all the words (my crappy speakers + poor mix + West Country accent). YMMD.

https://soundcloud.com/mr-kirby/lundy-island-jim-m4a?in=mr-kirby/sets/shanties-and-stuff

Good luck.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Lundy Island Jim'
From: GUEST,WhiteWingsOverWater
Date: 07 Jan 23 - 07:35 PM

Thank you so much for finding this. I've transcribed it from that recording. It's credited there as being "Collected from the singing of John Parker, of Hearts of Oak".

Lundy Island Jim

I'm a roving fisher lad,
just landed from the sea,
And if you give attention,
my song I'll sing to thee
It's of one Lundy Island,
the scenes of all our joy
For your delight I'll sing tonight
I'm Lundy Island Boy.

Chorus:
I'm a roving fisher lad,
just landed from the sea,
As happy as a nightingale singing in a tree
As lively as a little fish
That in the channel swims
Come wet or dry tis same to I
I'm Lundy Island Jim

Now we cannot boast of pretty parks
As other folks may do
Theatres and music halls,
dress-balls and parties too
For never having known them
It means we do not feel
We goes about our business
and we gets on just as well

I'm a roving fisher lad..

Now and then our fisher lads
enjoy a jolly night
Which in its free and easy way
is in itself quite right
We dance and sing at intervals
And hear sweet music played
The older folk enjoy a smoke
Just to pass the time away

I'm a roving fisher lad..

Get yer hat and jacket on
And get your rod and line
Your big tin and your tackle box
The day is set for fine
The fish are rising nicely
And soon they'll take the bait
Time and tide just never know
For any man to wait

I'm a roving fisher lad..