The Maid on the Shores  2019

This is our second album of songs from our Songs of Ships & Sailors.

The Sailor's Come-All-Ye 3:29
Traditional, collected from Susie Carr Young, c. 1925

Julia Lane - Vocal and harp
Fred Gosbee - 14-string guitar, vocal

Oh, come all ye pretty fair maids. If you did but know
All the dangers and the hardships that sailors undergo
You would have better regard for them than e'er you had before
And hate the lazy landsman that's always on the shore!

They are always with the pretty girls and telling them fine tales
about the hardships they endure while plowing their corn fields.
It's pulling of the weeds and grass: it's all that they do know.
While we, like jovial seamen boys, go plow the oceans through.

And when the sun, it does go down, aside they'ss throw their plow.
Saying, "Our day's work has ended, boys. It's homeward we'll go now."
And when the night gets dark as pitch into their bed they'll crawl
While we, like jovial seamen boys, stand many a bitter squall.

When eight o'clock, it does come 'round, the wing begins to blow.
Our captain, he commands us all, "All there from down below!
All there from down below, me boys! Prepare our ship to guard.
Aloft! Aloft, ye lively lads. Send down the t'gansel yard!"

Oh, the seas, they run mountains high and toss us up and down.
In the midst of all these dangers, boys, we fear our ship will drown.
But don't let that discourage us boys. We'll see the girls again.
For the might of all America we'll cross the raging main.

Oh, we'll sail to all parts of the world that's never seen before
And we'll bring back gold and silver, boys. That's when we do return.
We'll make this country flourish, boys, like it never did before
And when our money is all gone we'll plow the seas for more.

The Tarry Sailor 3:35
Traditional

Fred Gosbee - vocals, 12-string guitar
Julia Lane, Celtic harp, vocals

I came on shore in the month of May and carelessly I went walking
When I overheard my own true love and her old father talking,
Saying, "Jack, your true love, has come ashore.
He is the one that you adore
But silly Nancy your tricks are o'er,
You'll not wed with a tarry sailor!

But Jack stepped up just as nimble as a bee and he says, "My lov-er-lie Nancy
I have just come home from sea to my heart's delight and fancy.
I have been where the raging billows roar
And ofttimes faced a daring foe
So answer me quick-er-ly - yes or no
Will you wed with a tarry sailor?"

But her old father was standing by and at Jack was a-gawking.
He says, "Young man you might as well be gone as to stand here and be talking.
For my daughter, she is far too young,
And a sailor has a flattering tongue
So quit my presence and be gone!
She'll not wed with a tarry sailor

But Jack spoke up as bold as can be and he says, "My lov-er-lie Nancy
Do ya' think I would come home from sea with both my pockets empty?"
Then on the table, so I've been told
He placed five thousand in sparkling gold.
He dropped right into her apron fold:
"Take this from a tarry sailor!"

Now her old father was standing there when he saw Jack act so clever.
"Since you have given her all your store, now Jack, you may have her.
And since you've given her all your store
I'll double that and ten times more
I'll double that and ten times more
Although you're a tarry sailor."

The Lowlands of Holland 4:19
Traditional, this version from Carrie Grover, c. 1925

Julia Lane - vocal and harp

Last Easter I was married, that night I went to bed
There came a bold sea captain and stood at my bedhead
Saying "Rise, arise you married man and come along with me
To the low, lowlands of Holland to face your enemy."

I clasped my arms about my love imploring him to stay
But still that bold sea captain said "Arise and come away!
Arise, arise you married man and come along with me
To the low, lowlands of Holland to face your enemy."

For Holland is a cold place, a place that grows no green,
Neither flowers nor habitations for stranger's to dwell in.
But they say that money is plenty as the leaves upon the trees.
A curse rest on that captain that parted my love and me.

Said the mother to the daughter dear, "Why do you thus lament?
There are men enough in our town to make your heart content."
"There are men enough in our town , but ,alas, there's none for me
I never had but one true love and now he has gone from me.

"I'll wear no sash around my waist, no comb come in my hair
No fire, nor coal, nor candlelight shine in my chamber more
And never will I married be until the day I die.
A curse rest on that captain that parted my love and I."

Black-Eyed Susan 3:20
John Gay (1685-1732)

This lyric by John Gay was published in 1720 and set to the tune by Richard Leveridge around 1730. This version was collected from Charles Finnemore in Staceyville, Maine, in 1943.

Fred Gosbee - vocal, baritone 12-string guitar

All on the Downs the fleet lay moored,
Their banners waving in the wind,
When Black-eyed Susan came on board,
Saying where shall I my true love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true,
Does my dear Willie, does my dear Willie
Sail among your crew?

Willie, who high upon the yard,
Rocked with the billows to and fro,
Soon as that well-known voice he heard,
He sighed and cast his eye below.
The cords glide swiftly through his glowing hands
And quick as lightning, quick as lightning
On the deck he stands.

"Oh Susan, Susan, dearest dear!
My vows will ever true remain,
Let me kiss off those falling tears,
We only part to meet again.
The noblest captain in all the British fleet
Might envy Willie, might envy Willie's lips
Those kisses sweet.

"Oh, heed not what those landsmen say
They'll tempt with doubts thy constant mind,
They'll tell thee sailors when away,
In every port a mistress find:
Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so,
For thou art present, thou art present
Wheresoe'er I go.

If to fair India's coast we sail,
Thine eyes are seen in diamonds bright.
Thy breath is Africa's spicy gale,
Thy skin is ivory so white.
The pleasant breezes, wherever they blow
They bring me memories, They bring me memories
Of my lovely Sue."

The bo's'n gave the dreadful word,
The sails their swelling bosom spread:
She could no longer stay on board -
He turned, she sighed, and hung her head.
Her little boat unwilling rowed to land,
"Adieu," she criéd, "Adieu," she cried
And waved her lily hand.

The Sailor and the Sea Captain 5:37
Traditional from Charles Finnemore, Bridgewater, ME,1942 Transcribed by Julia Lane.

Fred Gosbee - vocal, concertins, tin whistle, mmandolin

Come all jolly sailors wherever you be
I pray give attention and listen to me
It's of a sea captain, a frolicsome sport,
Who courted a sailor's fair wife in the dark

Chorus:
Derry a-ye O-day
Fol the dol laddie, sing whack fol the day.

It's of a young sailor, Jack Hansen by name.
He had a brisk and frolicsome dame.
She went onboard for her husband to see.
"Oh, good!" said the Captain, "A partner for me!"

Their supper being finished, their pleasures was o'er
And all of the ladies returned to the shore
While all the poor sailors onboard they must stay
As the captain went off this fair charmer to see.

Now Jack apprehending that something was wrong
He got on shore and he quickly went home
And under the bed himself did convey
To hear what the captain to his wife might say

"Here's fifty bright guineas my joy and delight
If you will consent to lie with me tonight.
Your husband shall have a promotion at sea.
Sure, I'll treat him more kindly than I did agree!"

The sight of the gold so delighted this dame
She quickly consented to play at the game
And off to bed this gay couple did go
And the game that they played was the Up and Ti-yo

This tiresome game it soon put them to sleep
From under the bed, then, Jack he did creep
He put on the captains own britches and coat
His wig and his waistcoat to make up the joke

Now Jack was arrayed from this top to his toe
And off to the captain's own house he did go
And when he got there he knocked loud and bold
In the captain's own coat of the scarlet and gold

The chambermaid came and she brought him a light
But Jack didn't seem for to get in a fright
"Oh, where is your mistress?" She answered. "In bed."
"Oh, open the chamber door quickly!" Jack said

Pretended to be drunk, then Jack staggered in
The captain's wife scolded him, "Where have you been?
All day long with the girls you will stroll
At night you come rolling home drunk as a fool!"

Jack turned around, give the candle a puff.
And she rolled herself over all in a great huff.
He jumped into bed as a sailor would do.
He reefed 'er, he hauled 'er till he brought her to!

He reefed 'er, he hauled 'er, he tickled her knee.
At length this fair damsel began to grow pleased.
With captain's wife all night Jack did lay
Sure, he laid in her arms till broad break of day

When she awoke and saw his strange face
She drew in her breath, made a pitiful case.
"Oh, lady," said Jack," don't you be in a fright-
Your husband was kissing my wife all last night!"

She listened while Jack then his story he told.
She laughed at it all that her two side could hold.
"Go hitch up my carriage, we'll make up the jest,
And we'll go see that rogue in his tarpaulin vest"

Then Jack and his lady they cut a fine show
As off through the town to Jack's house they did go
And when they got there the first words was spoke
"Oh God!" said the captain, "Jack take off my coat!"

"Here's fifty bright guineas, Jack, take off my coat!
And don't to the rest of the sailors report
For many a sailor's been cuckold you know.
Here's four jolly cuckolds all stand in a row

Jacket So Blue 3:47
Traditional, collected from Hanford Hayes, Staceyville, ME, in 1947.

Julia Lane - vocal

Of a ship's crew of sailors a story you shall hear.
From Greenland to Liverpool their passage did steer.
There was one amongst them I wish I never knew.
He was a jolly, jolly sailor in his jacket of blue.

Oh, the first time I saw him he'd a spyglass in hand.
I tried to talk to him but with me he wouldn't stand.
I tried to talk to him but away from me he flew.
Oh, my heart it went with him in his jacket of blue.

I said, "Noble sailor, I will buy your discharge!
I will free you from a sailor boy. I will set you at large.
I will free you from a man-o'-war if your heart will prove true
And I will never put a stain on your jacket of blue."

He said, "Noble lady, you'll buy my discharge.
You will free me from a sailor boy- you will set me at large.
You will free me from a man-o'-war if my heart will prove true
But what would my faithful wee Scotch lassie do?"

I will send for an artist from London to Wales
To take my love's portrait, to take it with skill.
I will hang it in my parlor right close to my view
And say I once knew a sailor whose heart was so true.

The Lass of Mohea 5:27
Traditional

This song was very popular with at least 13 versions collected in Maine.

J Fred Gosbee - vocal, 14-string guitar

Oh, as I went out a-walking one morning in May
In sweet recreation to while time away
And as I sat musing by myself on the grass
Then who should I spy but a fair Indian lass?

She came along beside me and taking my hand
Saying, "You are a stranger and in a strange land.
But if you will follow you're welcome to come
and dwell in the cottage that I call my home."

Oh, the sun was fast sinking far o'er the blue sea
As I wandered alone with my charming Mohea.
Together we wandered, together we roved
'Till we came to her cottage in the coconut grove.

Then this kind expression she made unto me,
"If you will consent, sir, and stay here with me
And go no more roaming across the salt sea
Then I'll teach you the language of the Isle of Mohea."

I said, "My pretty fair one, that never can be
For I have a sweetheart in my own country
And I will be faithful for I know she loves me
And I will not forsake her for my charming Mohea.

It was early in the morning, one morning in May
When unto my fair one these words I did say,
"I am bound now to leave you, so farewell, my dear.
My ship's sails are spreading and it's home I will steer."

Oh, the last time that I saw her, she stood on the strand
And as my boat passed her she waved me her hand
Saying,"When you have landed to the one that you love
Think of your charming Mohea and the coconut grove."

Well, after I had landed on my own native shore
With my friends and relations gathered 'round me once more
I gazed all about me but none could I see
Was fit to compare to my charming Mohea.

And the girl I had trusted: she proved false to me
So I'll turn my course backwards across the blue sea.
I'll turn my course backwards and this land I'll flee
Spend the rest of my days with my charming Mohea.

The Maid on the Shore 3:50
Traditional, lyrics adapted by Julia Lane from the singing of Mr. Horace Priest, Sangerville Maine, as learned circa 1860 from Charles Porter in a lumber camp, with additions from other versions.

Julia Lane, vocals
Fred Gosbee - baritone 12-string guitar, fretless bass guitar, bowed psaltry, viola

There was a fair maiden lived by the sea shore
And she had been crossed in love-o
To ease all her woe she used for to go
Walking down along by the sea shore, shore
Down along by the sea shore

There was a bold captain, he plowed the rough sea
Let the winds blow high, blow low-o
"I will die, I will die," the sea captain did cry,
"If don't have that maid from the shore, shore
If don't have that maid from the shore!"

"Oh, I have got jewels and I have got gold
And I have got costly ware-o
All these I will give to my noble ship's crew
If they'll bring me that maid from the shore, oh, shore,
Bring me that maid from the shore."

With many persuasions the maid came on board,
The captain he welcomed her there-o.
He carried her down to his cabin below
Saying "Fair you well sorrow and care, oh, care,
Fair you well sorrow and care."

She said "You must listen while I sing a song
It will drive away sorrow and care-o"
The song was so neat, so mild and complete
She sang captain and sailors to sleep, sleep
Captain and sailors to sleep.

She robbed them their jewels, she robbed them their gold,
She robbed them their costly ware-o.
Of the captain's broadsword she made her an oar
And rowed herself back to the shore, oh, shore
Rowed herself back to the shore

Oh were my men sleeping or were my men mad,
Or were my men sunk in despair-o
To let this fair maid so loving and gay
Rob them of their jewels and gold, gold.
Rob them of jewels and gold.

Your men were not sleeping, your men were not mad,
Your men were not sunk in despair-o.
I have deceived you and all your ship's crew
And again I'm a maid on the shore, oh shore
Again I'm a maid on the shore.
Yes I'm still the maid on the shore, oh, shore.
I'm still the maid on the shore.

Our Gallant Ship 4:25
Traditional

This unusual version of :The Mermaid: was collected in Chamcook, NB, from Margaret McGill c. 1925.
This song originally came from Galloway and Dumfries, in Scotland, where all that remained was a children's playground rhyme. In 1999 we were able to take the song home and teach it to school children there.

Fred Gosbee - vocal, 14-string guitar, harmonica
Julia Lane - vocal

On a stormy sea as we set sail,
Not far, not far from the land
Our lookout he spied a bonnie mermaid
With a comb and a glass in her hand, her hand, her hand
A comb and a glass in her hand

Chorus:
She may look she may sigh wi' a watery eye
She may look tae the bottom o' the sea, the sea, the sea
She may look tae the bottom o' the sea.

Then up spoke the Captain o' our gallant ship
And a fine old man was he.
"Oh, I hae a wife in Edinburgh toon
An' this nicht she'll be lookin' out for me, for me, for me,
Aye, this nicht she'll be lookin' out for me"

Then up spoke the mate o' our gallant little ship
An' a brave young man was he.
"Oh, I hae a wife in fair Edinburgh toon
An this nicht she'll be lookin' out for me, for me, for me,
Aye, this nicht she'll be lookin' out for me."

Then up spoke the cabin boy o' our gallant ship
An' a fine wee laddie was he.
"Oh, I hae a sweetheart in Edinburgh toon
An this nicht she'll be lookin' for me, for me, for me,
Aye, this nicht she'll be lookin' for me."

Then up spoke the cook o' our gallant little ship,
An' a cross old cook was he.
"Oh, I hae mair bother wi' me kettles pots an' pans
Than ye wi' your wives all three, all three, all three,
Than ye wi' your wives all three."

Then three times 'round went our gallant little ship
Three times 'round went she.
Three times 'round went our gallant little ship
An' she sank tae the bottom o' the sea, the sea, the sea,
She sank tae the bottom o' the sea.

The Fate of Franklin 4:49
Traditional, collected from Will Merritt, Ludlow, Maine, in 1941.
Learned from his mother who was born in Scotland

Julia Lane - vocal, harp
Fred Gosbee - viola

A sailor bold and undaunted stood
As the waves rolled over the briny flood
Come pay attention to what I say
'T will put you in mind of a sailor's dream.

When homeward bound one night on the deep
While in my hammock I fell asleep.
I dreamt a dream that I thought was true
Concerning Franklin and his bold crew.

As we were nearing old England's shore
I heard a lady so sad implore.
She wept aloud and she seemed to say,
"Alas, my Franklin is far away"

It's been seven years since that ship of fame
It bore my Franklin across the main
With a hundred sailors of courage true
To find a northwestern passage through

To seek a passage around the Pole
Where lightning flashes and loud thunder rolls
It's so much more than a man can do
Though heart undaunted and courage true.

There was Captain Kelly of Sedgewick town
And Captain Osburn of high renown
And Doctor Tate like so many more
That's long been cruising the Arctic shore

Oh they sailed east and they sailed west
From Greenland's Island where they thought best
They met with hardships and vainly strove
Through mountains of ice where their ship was stove

In Baffin Bay where the cold wind blows
The fate of Franklin nobody knows.
Five hundred pounds would I freely give
To know on earth that my Franklin lives.

But, alas, he's gone like so many more
That left their home to return no more.
God help the widows who sorely weep
For loss of husbands across the deep.

The Oak and the Ash
Traditional

Traditional

Fred Gosbee - vocal, 14-string guitar, tin whistle

Chorus:
Home, dearie, home to your own count-er-ie,
Home, dearie, home to your own count-er-ie,
Where the oak and the ash and the bonnie birch tree
Are all growing green in North Ameriky.

A sailor, being drowsy, he hung down his head.
He called for a candle to light him to bed.
She lit him to bed - as a maiden ought to do
And he vowed and declared she must come with him, too.

She, being young, well, she thought it no harm.
She jumped right in beside him to keep herself warm.
He hugged her. He kissed her. He called her his dear.
She wished that short night, it had been a long year.

Early next morning, the sailor he arose
And into her lap he poured handsful of gold
Saying, "Take this, my dear, 'twill buy you milk and bread
For that is what you get for lighting sailor lads to bed.

"If it is a girl she shall wear a gold ring.
If is a boy he shall fight for his king.
With his low quarter shoes and his jacket so blue
He'll walk the quarter deck like his daddy used to do."

Peter Street 4:44
Traditional, collected from Charles Finnemore, Bridgewater, ME, in 1943.
Variants of this song are well known and widespread. It would seem that even if sailors weren't always in danger of losing all their clothes on shore they still enjoyed singing about it. Given the Irish penchant for self-deprecating stories that make fun of adversity, the place of action might be Peter Street in Dublin, which saw a great deal of activity involving sailors in the 19th century. The location of Weakinstown may be Walkinston, a suburb of Dublin.

Fred Gosbee - vocal, 14-string guitar
Julia Lane - vocal, Celtic harp

Come seamen bold, both young and old, a story you should know
About a trick was played on me not very long ago.
The other day I came from sea, a fair one I did meet
And she kindly asked me to a dance, 'twas up on Peter Street.
She kindly asked me to a dance, 'twas up on Peter Street.

I said "My handsome fair one, I can't dance very well.
I'm on my way to Weakinstown where all my friends do dwell.
The other day I came from sea; I've saved up fifty pounds.
My friends will be expecting me tonight in Weakinstown,
My friends will be expecting me tonight in Weakinstown."

"Well, if you can't dance very well, sure you can have a treat.
You can have a glass of brandy and something nice to eat.
This very night at ten o'clock I'll meet you at the train
If you'll consent to call on me when you come to town again,
If you'll consent to call on me when you come to town again."

Well, finding her so friendly-like, I called upon a car
To take us to the bar room; the distance was not far.
The girls all on the other side to me these words did say,
"Oh poor ol' chap, you'll lose your cap if you go down that way,
Oh poor ol' chap, you'll lose your cap if you go down that way!"

Well, we had not been there very long 'til the liquor did come in,
And when every man had stood a round the dancing did begin.
Me and my true love dancéd all to a pretty tune.
She says, "My dear, let us repair to a chamber all alone!"
She says, "My dear, we will repair to a chamber all alone!"

So when the dancing was all done we straight to bed do go
But it's little did I realize she'd prove my overthrow.
My watch and chain, my fifty pounds, my cltheing all had fled
And theere was I left all alone, stark-naked on the bed,
Yes, there was I left all alone, stark-naked on the bed.

When I come into my senses, there was nothing could I spy
But a woman's shirt and apron that upon the bed did lie.
I cursed, I swore, my hair I tore, alas, what could I do?
I said, "Farewell fair Weakinstown, I'll nevermore see you."
I said, "Farewell fair Weakinstown, I'll nevermore see you."

Now fair you well sweet Weakinstown, I never shall see you.

When everything was quiet, 'bout the hour of twelve o'clock,
I put on the shirt and apron and headed for the dock.
The sailors when they saw me, to me these words to me did say:
"Oh poor ol' chap, you've lost your cap since you've gone down that way,
"Oh poor ol' chap, you've lost your cap since you've been gone that way."

"Is that the new spring fashion, Jack, that's come upon the shore shore?
Oh, where's the shop you buy them at? Have they got any more?"
The captain says, "Now Jack, me boy, I thought in Weakinstown
You might have found a better suit than that for fifty pounds!
You might have found a better suit than that for fifty pounds!"

Well, I might have found a better suit if I had had the chance.
I was walking down by Peter Street and askéd for to dance.
I danced my own destruction! I'm skinned from head to feet
And I'll take my oath no more I'll go to dance on Peter Street!
I'll take my oath no more I'll go to dance on Peter Street!

So come seamen bold, both young and old, a warning take by me:
Be careful of bad company when you go on a spree.
Be careful bad company or you'll end up like me
With a woman's dress and apron for to fit you out for sea,
With a woman's dress and apron for to fit you out for sea.