Oh, come all you hardy haddockers, who winter fishing go, And brave the seas upon the banks in story winds and snow, And ye who love hard driving, come listen to my lay Of the run we made from Portland in the "Mary L. McKay." We hung the muslin on her, as the wind began to hum, Twenty hardy Nova Scotiamen chock full of Portland rum, Mainsail, foresail, jib and jumbo on that wild December day, As we passed Cape Elizabeth and slugged for Fundy Bay. Storm along! Drive along! Punch her through the rips, Don't heed those boarding combers as the solid green she ships 'T would fill your hearts with terror, boys, and wish you were away At home in bed and not aboard the "Mary L. McKay" We slammed her by Monhegan as the gale began to scream, Our vessel took to dancing in a way that was no dream. A howler o'er the topsail we steered her East away; Oh, she was a hound for running was the "Mary L. McKay." When we slammed her by Matinicus the skipper hauled the log— "Sixteen knots, Lord Harry! Ain't she just the gal to jog?" The half-canned helmsman shouted as he swung her on her way, "Just watch me tear the mainsail off the 'Mary L. McKay.'" Storm along! Drive along! Punch her through the rips, Don't heed those boarding combers as the solid green she ships 'T would fill your hearts with terror, boys, and wish you were away At home in bed and not aboard the "Mary L. McKay" The rum was passing merrily and the gang was feeling grand, Long necks dancing in our wake from where we left the land. Our skipper he kept sober for he knew how things would lay, And he made us furl the mainsail on the "Mary L. McKay." Under foresail and her jumbo we tore wildly through the night, The foaming, surging whitecaps in the moonshine made a sight, And in this wild inferno, boys, we soon had hell to pay, We didn't care a hoot aboard the "Mary L. McKay." Storm along! Drive along! Punch her through the rips, Don't heed those boarding combers as the solid green she ships 'T would fill your hearts with terror, boys, and wish you were away At home in bed and not aboard the "Mary L. McKay" We lashed our helmsman to the box as we steered through the gloom, A big sea hove his dory mate right over the main boom; It tore the oilpants off his legs and you could hear him say, "There's a power of water flying o'er the 'Mary L. McKay.'" Our skipper didn't care to make his wife a widow yet, He swung her off to Yarmouth Cape with just her foresail set, We passed Forchu next morning and shot in at break of day, And soon in sheltered harbour lay the "Mary L. McKay." Storm along! Drive along! Punch her through the rips, Don't heed those boarding combers as the solid green she ships 'T would fill your hearts with terror, boys, and wish you were away At home in bed and not aboard the "Mary L. McKay" From Portland, Maine, to Yarmouth Sound, two twenty miles we ran, In eighteen hours, my bully boys, now beat that if you can. The crew said it was seamanship, the skipper he kept dumb But the force that drove our vessel was the power of Portland rum. Storm along! Drive along! Punch her through the rips, Don't heed those boarding combers as the solid green she ships 'T would fill your hearts with terror, boys, and wish you were away At home in bed and not aboard the "Mary L. McKay"

You may all bless your happy lots who safely dwell on shore You do not know the howling winds that round poor seamen roar You do not know the hardship great that we were forced to stand For fourteen days and fourteen nights on the banks of Newfoundland Our captain, mate, and sailors ten made up our good ship's crew Ten passengers we had on board made up just twenty-two Some had wives and families on their dear native strand Intending soon to come across the banks of Newfoundland Our ship she sailed through frost and snow from the day we left Quebec And if we had not walked about we'd have frozen to the deck But being as true born sailor man as ever had command Our captain doubled our grog each day on the banks of Newfoundland Our ship had never crossed before the stormy western sea She was well rigged and fitted out before she sailed away But built of green unseasoned wood she little could withstand The hurricane that met us on the banks of Newfoundland The tempest blew from sunset to the cold and wintry dawn She fell away to leeward for two of her masts were gone Our captain said,"My brave boys we must some invention plan To hoist a signal of distress on the banks of Newfoundland If you had seen our doleful state your hearts would be oppressed It blew a most tremendous gale with the wind from the south west Some of our men jumped overboard saying they would swim to land But, alas, it was five hundred miles from the Banks of Newfoundland Well we fasted thirteen days and nights, our provisions giving out The morning of the fourteenth day we cast the lots about The lot fell on the captain's son, but hoping relief at hand We spared him another day on the banks of Newfoundland On the morning of the fifteenth day we told him to prepare We gave to him another hour to offer up a prayer Then Providence proved kind to us, kept blood from every hand For an English vessel hove in view on the banks of Newfoundland When we were taken off that wreck we were more like ghosts than men They fed us and they clothed us, too, and brought us back again But five of our brave sailors boys ne're saw their native land And our captain lost both feet by frost on the banks of Newfoundland Of all that gallant company that was our good ship's crew There's only five to tell the tale, of passengers but two For the others friends may shed salt tears all on their native strand But mountainous waves roll o're their graves on the Banks of Newfoundland

'T was once a maiden young and fair Went walking out for to take the air She met a sailor all along her way And I paid attention, I paid attention To hear what they might say He said "Fair maid why roam alone? For the day's far spent and the night's coming on She said while tears from her eyes did flow "It's my dark-eyed sailor, my dark-eyed sailor Has proved my overflow" It's been three long years since he left this land A new gold ring he took off his hand He broke a token; gave one half to me Now the other half's lying, the other half's lying At the bottom of the sea He said "Fair maid, drive him off your mind For as good a sailor as him you'll find " She said "Be gone you! with your words so fine It's my Dark-eyed sailor, my Dark-eyed sailor Still plays this heart of mine" 'T was then he did the token show She seemed distracted 'twixt joy and woe She said "You're welcome in my arms to hold My dark-eyed sailor, my dark-eyed sailor So handsome and so bold" Now in a house by the riverside In peace and harmony they now reside So girls prove faithful while your lover's away Oft a cloudy morning, a cloudy morning Brings forth a pleasant day.

Come all ye sons of Freedom. Come, listen unto me, I 'll tell of an engagement which happened on the sea. Between the "Enterprise" and "Boxer, "two noble ships of fame, The "Enterprise," though she is small, soon made the "Boxer "tame. We sailed out of Portland harbor in a sweet and pleasant gale, The saucy "Boxer" hovering round, she proudly spread her sail. It being about meridian when we to them drew near. We hoisted Yankee colors, and gave to them three cheers. It was on the fifth of September, it being a glorious day, The "Enterprise" and "Boxer," they had their bloody fray. The "Enterprise" soon box'd her and quickly made them see That we were Yankee heroes Just from Americay When we came on board the "Boxer" 'twould grieve your hearts full sore To see all those proud Englishmen lying in their gore And there upon the quarterdeck where officers do tread Their young captain, Samuel Blyth, was found among the dead. So now we've gain'd the victory, my Yankee hearts of steel But heavy was the price we paid, to force our foes to yield. For in the fray was Burgess hit he got his mortal blow. Alas, our young commander shall see Portland town no more. In a Portland cemetery those two young heroes lie, God bless Lieutenant Burrows, And Captain Blyth likewise Far from the roaring din of battle, the province of the brave, They slumber for eternity in the silence of their grave. They slumber for eternity in the silence of their grave.

In the year of our Lord fourteen hundred sixty-six, We set sail from the cove of Cork; We were bound far away with a cargo of bricks, For the new city hall in New York. We'd a beautiful craft, she was rigged fore and aft, And oh dear how the trade winds they drove her; She could stand fearful blasts, she had seventeen masts And we called her the "Irish Rover ." There was Murphy and Flynn, and McCarthy and Gwinn There was O'Malley, O'Brien, and Shay And McColley and McCoy and McKusker and Quinn O'Connell, McGuinness, O'Day There was Leary and Frye, Joyce, Mulcahey and I McClough and O'Hara and Grover And Fitzsimmons and Sly, both from near Athenry In the crew of the "Irish Rover." There was Old Mickey Coutts who played hard on his flute When the ladies lined up for a set He was tooting with skill every sparkling quadrille Till the dancers were all soaked with sweat With his sparse witty talk he was cock of the walk And he rolled the dames under and over You could tell at a glance when he took up his stance That he sailed on the "Irish Rover." We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags, We had two million boxes of stones; We had three million sides of old blind horses' hides, And four million boxes of bones. We had five million hogs and six million dogs, We had seven million tons of clover And eight million bales of white billy goat tails, In the freight of the "Irish Rover." So we sailed seven years when the measles broke out, The ship lost her way in a fog; The whole of the crew was reduced down to two, Just myself and the captain's old dog. Then we struck Plymouth rock with a terrible shock! And then she rolled right over She turned three times around, and we all got drowned In the wreck of the "Irish Rover."

It is of a young sea captain who lately came ashore He went up to an alehouse where he had been before "You are welcome home, young Johnny, you are welcome home from sea Last night my daughter Polly was dreaming of thee "What luck had you, young Johnny? "Oh very poor !" said he "We lost our ship and cargo all on the raging sea "Across the wide Atlantic my ship and cargo crossed; All on the wide Atlantic my ship and cargo lost." "But bring down pretty Polly and set her on my knee! Bring down pretty Polly and married we will be" " My daughter she is absent, oh she has gone away And if she were at home John, she would not let you stay" And when young John heard this, he hung down his head He called for a candle to light him to bed "The beds are all full John, this fortnight or more, And you are not welcome for you are very poor" He looked upon the landlord; he looked upon them all And then for his reckoning so loudly he did call * "Twenty shillings of the new, John, and thirty of the old" Young John he pulled out both hands full of gold. Then in came pretty Polly all with a smiling face She gave him three kisses and then a kind embrace "You are welcome, young Johnny, you are welcome home from sea! The green bed is waiting for you young Johnny" "I care not for your green bed; I would rather lie in the street. When you thought I had no money, my lodgings I might seek Now I've money in both pockets I will make the taverns whirl With a bottle of good brandy and on each knee a girl!" Now all of you young sailors, a warning take by me Be careful of your money when you return from sea Be careful of your money and lay it up in store For if not they surely will drive you from their door.

I am a young sailor, my story is sad Though once I was carefree and a brave sailor lad I courted a lassie by night and by day Ah but now she has left me and sailed far away Chorus If I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in And in the top rigging I'd there build my nest and sing a sweet song to the one I love best Chorus I crossed o'er the ocean, my fortune to seek Though I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek. I returned and I told her my love was still warm But she tearfully told me I would soon be forlorn Chorus I offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair I offered to marry and to stay by her side But she says in the morning she sails with the tide Chorus If I was a scholar and could handle the pen One secret love letter to my true love I'd send And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain Since she's gone and left me in yon foreign land Chorus Her parents they chide me and will not agree Saying me and my true love never married should be Ah but let them deprive me, let them do as they will While there's breath on my body she's the one that I love still

You darling girls of Bagaduce who live along the shore 'Tis little do you think or know what sailors do endure Or if you did, you would treat them with more respect than before You never would go with a landloper while sailors are on shore Oh those Penobscot cowboys will tell you girls fine tales Of the hardships they endure while they are in the cornfields While they feed their hens and punch their pigs and make their mothers roar While we, like jovial-hearted boys, go to the Bay Chaleur You darling girls of Bagaduce perhaps you'd like to know The names of all our sailors before we start to go Their names and dispositions, I'll endeavor to explain Before we set our canvas to plough the raging main The first was Hiram Wardwell who runs the Rory O'More The next was Captain Perkins who roams the golden shore They're very much respected by all both fore and aft Two better men cannot be found on an Androscoggin raft There was little Herman, Leroy and Bill, and Oliver Quinn and Steel And Amos H. the author, who an entry sheep did steal The next was little Owen, who loves the girls so well The last was young Horatio - we called him the Admiral On board of the Schooner Fred Dunbar, well found in fishing gear We crowded on our canvas, for Green's Landing we did steer When we arrived at anchor, the sun was very low 'Twas there we shipped young Stinson and Captain Mood Thurlow When we arrived at Port McGrave, we hauled in for our salt We took our little fiddle to have a little waltz There was twelve of us when we started, our songs through the woods did roar When we arrived, I was surprised, I could not count but four The first day of September, broad off Cape Mardean We struck a squall from our south-southeast which broke our boom in two So gallantly she weathered it and it was fine to see She walked to the windward with mainsail down, bound out to Margaree The last day of September will be remembered well And how poor sailors fared that night, no tongue can ever tell The wind blew high, the seas grew rough, and in torrents fell the rain I never saw such a night before and hope I shan't again You darling girls of Bagaduce, the time is drawing nigh When soon you'll see the Stars and Stripes from the Fred's main topmast fly Get ready, gallant lasses, put on your other gowns For soon you'll see the Fred Dunbar come sailing up to town O now this voyage is ended and we've arrived on shore With our pockets full of greenbacks we have earned to the Bay Chaleur So merrily we'll dance and sing, as we have done before, And when our money is all gone, we'll plough the bay some more.

The moon had climb'd the highest hill Which rises o'er the river deep, And from the eastern summit shed Her silver light on field and tree; When Mary laid her down to sleep, Her thoughts on Jamie far at sea; When soft and low, a voice she heard, Saying, Mary weep no more for me! Mary weep no more for me (4 times) She from her pillow gently raised Her head, to ask who there might be, And saw young Jamie shivering stand, With visage pale, and hollow e'e. O Mary dear, cold is my clay; It lies beneath a stormy sea. Far, far from thee, I sleep in death, So, Mary weep no more for me! Mary weep no more for me (4 times) Three stormy nights and stormy days, We toss'd upon the raging main; And long we strove our ship to save, But all our striving was in vain. Even when horror chill'd my blood, My heart was filled with love for thee The storm is past, and I at rest; So, Mary, weep no more for me! Mary weep no more for me (4 times) O, maiden dear, thyself prepare; We soon shall meet upon that shore Where love is free from doubt and care, And thou and I shall part no more! Mary weep no more for me (4 times) Loud crow'd the cock, the shadow fled; No more of Jamie could she see: But soft the passing spirit said: Sweet Mary, weep no more for me! Mary weep no more for me (4 times)

On the twenty-sixth of April, or so it goes appear, The brave boys of Bristol fitted out a privateer In command of Captain Tucker, a sloop both neat and trim And we set out to sail the seas all for to take the Bream So cheer up my lively land and never be it said The brave boys of Bristol were ever yet afraid We cruised the shores for several days and nothing did appear At length our brave commander resolved to homeward steer It was on a Friday morning, and clear was the sky And as we were returning, a sail we did spy So cheer up etc. Then rose our bold commander and to his men did say "My boys, be all stout-hearted and do not fail today! Our enemy's before us and after her we'll run For I'm resolved to take her before the setting sun" So cheer up etc. Then we bore away for her and up to her did come We hauled down our foresail and gave to her a gun 'Twas broadside and broadside we showed her Yankee play 'Til our enemy got frightened and tried to run away So cheer up etc. Then they quit their quarters and down below they run We shot away their halliards and down their mailsail come Their captain he stepped forward and waving of his hand He cried "I must surrender; this I can no longer stand!" So cheer up etc. We went to bind her to our lee but much to our chagrin We found we had no grappling hook to seize and pull her in 'Till Collamore stepped up and swung the anchor o'er his head "Captain, shall I let her fly?" the Bremen Monster said. So cheer up etc. Then we hoisted out our boats and on board of her did go We made them all prisoners and ordered them below We hoisted Yankee colors and hauled the British down And when we did examine her, she proved to be the Crown So cheer up etc. "Now" says our brave commander "we'll bring our prize ashore For we're the boys that fear no noise, though cannons loudly roar! And quickly we will clear the coast of all these British boys For we will fight 'em till we die, and never mind their noise!" So cheer up etc. Now we have fought this privateer till she is overcome And God bless Captain Tucker this day for what he's done Likewise his officers and all his jolly crew God grant that they may prosper in everything they do So cheer up etc.

It was on the fourth of January down in the southern seas Our ship lay at anchor near a big coral reef a-waiting for a breeze And the captain he was down below and the sailors they were lying all about When suddenly from under our bow a jolly little voice piped out Sing, blow ye winds Aye-O, Blow ye winds Aye-O Clear away the morning dew, now blow ye winds Aye-O "There's a man overboard!" our watch cried out, and it's forward we all did go. Our captain went to the starboard side and gazed on the water below And there we saw hangin' on our anchor chain was a jolly old merman. His hair was blue, and his eyes were green, and this is what he sang; Sing, blow ye winds Aye-O, Blow ye winds Aye-O Clear away the morning dew, now blow ye winds Aye-O "Ahoy there," said our captain bold "What cheer, messmate", cried he. You look so queer- How came you here a-living in the deep blue sea? I see you are a sailor by the look of your face, and you speak like an Englishman true So tell me, man, as fast as you can, just what can I do for you?" Sing, blow ye winds Aye-O, Blow ye winds Aye-O Clear away the morning dew, now blow ye winds Aye-O Some years ago where the big ships go, I was lost overboard in a gale. And down below where the seaweeds grow, I met a pretty maiden with a tail. She saved my life and I made her my wife, and now we have children three So it's happy I will stay, forever and a day, in the bottom of the deep blue sea. Sing, blow ye winds Aye-O, Blow ye winds Aye-O Clear away the morning dew, now blow ye winds Aye-O But you've dropped your anchor in the front of my house, and you've blocked up my only door. And my wife she can't get out, for to shop and rove about and the children me implore 'T would break your heart to hear them cry, and the row they'll have with me! For I was out last night to a small fish-fight, and I didn't get home till three. Sing, blow ye winds Aye-O, Blow ye winds Aye-O Clear away the morning dew, now blow ye winds Aye-O The Captain smiled and called to the mate "All hands on deck" cried he "Our anchor shall be weighed at once and your wife and your children set free." With a grateful grin he waved a fin and he turned himself about so merrily And the little blue tail that he sat upon, went a-wiggling down the sea. (And he sang-) Sing, blow ye winds Aye-O, Blow ye winds Aye-O Clear away the morning dew, now blow ye winds Aye-O

The day of our sailing is fast drawing nigh And you my dear sweetheart, I'll bid you goodbye Good luck to New York and all my friends here Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the eastward we steer Bound away! Bound away! Where the stormy winds blow Bound Away in the Dreadnaught to the east'ard we go Oh It's now we are hauling off the Long Island shore Our captain on deck as was often before Saying "Crowd on all sail boys, and let her run free For the Dreadnaught is a clipper and fears not the sea!" Bound away! Bound away! Where the stormy winds blow Bound Away in the Dreadnaught to the east'ard we go Oh, now we are sailing on the ocean so wide Where the mighty blue billows rush against our dark side Our sails neatly trimmed the Red Cross to show Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the eastward we go Bound away! Bound away! Where the stormy winds blow Bound Away in the Dreadnaught to the east'ard we go Oh now we are sailing off the shores of Newfoundland Where the waters change color and the bottom is sand Where the fish of the ocean swim about to and fro Bound away in the Dreadnaught to the eastward we go Bound away! Bound away! Where the stormy winds blow Bound Away in the Dreadnaught to the east'ard we go Here's a health to the Dreadnaught and her jolly crew Likewise Captain Samuels and her officers too You may speak of your packets, Red Line and Black Ball But the Dreadnaught is a packet that outsails them all