12 - The Blyth Sailor's Farewell

Words by James Anderson
Tune by Carolina Oliphant

The lyrics were written by James Anderson (1825-1899), and first published in 1898. I first heard the version by Johnny Handle & Benny Graham here. The shanty is set to the tune Laird o' Cockpen by Carolina Oliphant.

Farewell my dear comrades, A pleasant adieu
From bonnie Blyth Harbour leaving friends all anew
To parents and wives and sweethearts a-dear
Let us join in one chorus with hearty good cheer

Then trusting our vessel to captain and mate
For health and for fortune we’re subject to fate
But we’ll dare even death on the wide-ranging main
And return to Blyth Harbour again and again

They’ll leave home contented quite Blyth-some and gay
Fighting the ocean so far far away
Seeking for cargo in many a strange shore
Then turn her around for Blyth Harbour once more

Then trusting our vessel to captain and mate…

We’re loaded with coal to Holland we’re bound
Then away on down channel where trade can be found
Calling ports there from France through to Spain
With a westerly breeze turning homeward again

Then trusting our vessel to captain and mate…

Then heave her home boys we are now homeward bound
With a valuable cargo no matter where found
With fair wind and weather we’ll soon be ashore
Safe-anchored in bonnie Blyth Harbour once more

Then trusting our vessel to captain and mate…