Origins: Ships In Full Sail

Subject: ADD: Ships In Full Sail
From: GEST
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 10:44 AM

NOT the tune, the lyrics, please....

Who wrote the lyrics to Ships In Full Sail?

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Lyrics copy-pasted from the link cited above.
-Joe Offer-

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Ships In Full Sail

The bright sun a-shining and blue skies a-pining
For the want of some clouds or some ornamentation;
The heathers a-blazing and cows are a-grazing
As I sit on the hill overlooking the bay.

There out on the ocean the ships are in motion
From Killybegs Harbour right down to Kinsale;
Down in the harbour the crowds they have gathered
To watch the winds blowing the ships in full sail.

Some then sail for pleasure and others for treasure
And some do the wishin' and some are for fishin';
But what e'er you're making you'll need no awaking
To the dangers involved for the ships on the sea.

There out on the ocean the ships are in motion
From Killybegs Harbour right down to Kinsale;
Down in the harbour the crowds they have gathered
To watch the winds blowing the ships in full sail.

The seagulls are squawking they seem to be talking
Of this grandorous sight which seems oh so leisurely;
In summer it's pleasing but in winter it's teasing
And storms will be blowing the ships in the sea.

There out on the ocean the ships are in motion
From Killybegs Harbour right down to Kinsale;
Down in the harbour the crowds they have gathered
To watch the winds blowing the ships in full sail.

There out on the ocean the ships are in motion
From Killybegs Harbour right down to Kinsale;
Down in the harbour the crowds they have gathered
To watch the winds blowing the ships in full sail.

Subject: RE: Origins: Ships In Full Sail
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:19 PM

The Wolfe Tones sang it on "Rifles of the IRA." Brian Warfield is listed on the cd as composer.
The Folk Index lists him as arranger: www.ibiblio.org/folkindex/s08.htm

There also is a fiddle tune by that name.

Subject: RE: Origins: Ships In Full Sail
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 07:41 PM

Looks like Brian Warfield was arranger of the Wolfe Tones version, but the song may be older, perhaps anon. See list of titles and discussion at Ships in Full Sail

Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883, p. 109, is the oldest reference listed. Probably this is tune only.