This is a traditional sea song and can be found in Joanna C. Colcord’s\u00a0Songs of American Sailormen<\/i>, p. 181. However most of us find the melody awkward so my friend Gina Dunlap composed a melody more fitting to the lyrics. Thank you, Gina!<\/p>\n
It was one fine day in the month of May,
\nAnd I was outward bound.
\nI hadn’t any tin to buy some gin,
\nSo I walked the street all around.
\nMy shoes was out at the elbows,
\nAnd I was sore in need
\nSo I shipped as a jolly sailor
\nOn board of the River Lea.<\/p>\n
No more I’ll go to sea,
\nbeat down the bay of Fundy.
\nForever more I’ll stay on shore,
\nI’ll go to sea no more.<\/p>\n
No more I’ll take my first lookout
\nNo more I’ll take my wheel.
\nNo more at the cry up aloft I fly,
\nWhile “Ay, ay, sir!” I squeal.
\nNo more I’ll reef those topsails,
\nFor it is no more my trade.
\nNo more I’ll brail that spanker in
\nOn board of the River Lea.<\/p>\n
No more I’ll pull on the lee fore brace
\nNor by royal halliards stand,
\nNo more I’ll ride those swifters down
\nWith a tar-pot in my hand.
\nNo more I’ll cross those royal yards
\nNor furl that flying jib.
\nNo more I’ll shift gaff-topsail tacks
\nOn board of the River Lea.<\/p>\n
I’ve crossed the Western Ocean,
\nI’ve sailed the raging main
\nBut I’ve made it a rule that I won’t be a fool
\nAnd go to sea again.
\nI’ll stay at home in comfort
\nAnd good advice I’ll give:
\nDon’t ever ship as a sailor
\nOn board of the River Lea.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This is a traditional sea song and can be found in Joanna C. Colcord’s\u00a0Songs of American Sailormen, p. 181. However most of us find the melody awkward so my friend Gina Dunlap composed a melody more fitting to the lyrics. … Continue reading