62 - Mollymauk
Words by Bob WatsonTune by Bob Watson
Mollymauk is another name for the albatross and one superstition was that the soul of a drowned sailor would fly forever as an albatross.
There are a lot of songs that use 'he' by default, so we've switched the pronouns here, because why not?
Oh the southern ocean is a lonely place
Where the storms are many and the shelter’s scarce
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
On the restless water and the troublin’ skies
You can see that mollymauk wheel and fly
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, Mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
See the Mollymauk floatin’ on her wide white wings
And Lord, what a lonely song she sings
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
And she’s got no compass and she’s got no gear
And there’s none can tell you how the Mollymauks steer
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, Mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
She’s the ghost of a sailor-woman I’ve heard say
Whose body sank, and her soul flew away
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
And she’s got no haven and she’s got no home
She’s bound evermore for to wheel and roam
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, Mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
__
When I gets too weary for to sail no more
Let my bones sink better far away from shore
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
You can cast me loose and leave me driftin’ free
And I’ll keep that big bird company
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn
Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, Mollymauk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn