Origins: Clear Away in the Morning (Gordon Bok)

Subject: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: matthewdechant
Date: 09 Jan 24 - 08:28 PM

Does anyone know if this song is traditional or if Gordon Bok wrote it? I can't find a version earlier than the Gordon Bok recording, but every recording I've found credits the composer as 'unknown'

Subject: RE: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Jan 24 - 04:23 PM

Need more info. First verse and chorus?

Subject: RE: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: matthewdechant
Date: 10 Jan 24 - 04:30 PM

Here are the lyrics:

CLEAR AWAY IN THE MORNING
(Gordon Bok)

Take me back on the bay, boys
Clear away in the morning
I don't want to go ashore, boys
Oh, bring her 'round

Take me back on the bay, boys
Clear away in the morning
I don't want to spend my pay, boys
Oh, bring her 'round

Captain, don't you leave me
Clear away in the morning
There's no one here that needs me
Oh, bring her 'round

Nancy, oh my Nancy
Clear away in the morning
She never played it fancy
Oh, bring her 'round

Bring me wine and brandy
Clear away in the morning
I'd only ask for Nancy
Oh, bring her 'round

Captain, don't let the main down
Clear away in the morning
Oh, captain, don't let the chain run
Oh, bring her 'round

Captain, don't you need me?
Clear away in the morning
"There's nothing I can do, boy"
Oh, bring her 'round

Nancy, oh my Nancy
Clear away in the morning
Nancy, oh my Nancy
Oh, bring her 'round

Take me back on the bay, boys
Clear away in the morning
I don't want to go ashore, boys
Oh, bring her 'round


And here's a link to the Gordon Bok recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT-HSu7SpHM

Subject: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jan 24 - 04:30 PM

I've always thought it was a Gordon Bok composition. Here are the notes on the song from the 1971 Peter Kagan and the Wind LP by Bok. It's also attributed to Bok on his 1995 North Wind's Clearing CD.

CLEAR AWAY IN THE MORNING
(Gordon Bok)
From the years I worked on the Camden schooners.
Come fall, time to lay the vessel up, I never wanted to quit. It was my home, and the only place I felt I was really needed was on the deck of that schooner.



https://folkways.si.edu/gordon-bok/peter-kagan-and-the-wind

The album notes say the song was written by Gordon Bok. Matthew posted lyrics that are exactly the same as the album notes, so I've deleted the lyrics I posted.

Subject: RE: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: Robert B. Waltz
Date: 10 Jan 24 - 07:20 PM

To amplify what Joe Offer said, Bok also claims the song in his first songbook, Time and the Flying Snow.

Were anyone to say so, I would agree that it sounds very traditional. Which I very rarely say. :-)

Subject: RE: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Jan 24 - 01:59 PM

With Bob.

Subject: RE: Origins: Clear Away in the Morning
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jan 24 - 04:53 PM

It's a great song to sing with a group. Easy to harmonize on.
-Joe-