Written for a #songspark prompt 'to write a story song'. It tells of poor sailors who provided goods to the tin mines in St Ives bay in cornwall in the 1800's.
C2021, P2021 Upton. All rights reserved.
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It was a stormy night when we set sail A bitter wind did blow
The captain chose to take the tide. I knew we should not go
The boys they hauled, the topsail rose with the harbour at our stern
Once in the boiling ocean, the helmsman made the turn
The ship she rolled so viciously. Waves over-topped the bow.
The vessel creaked. The mizzen mast was swinging wildly now
and on we went into the night; not a star in the sky
past the rocks by Sennen Cove, I swore we were bound to die
Though I'm not a religious man, I said a prayer that night
I prayed we'd make safe harbour before the morning light
Though I love the ocean a landlubber I'd rather be
We carried coal & timber to the mines in St Ives bay
From our home port of Newlyn, it took less than a day
Our trips were mostly daylight and in only weather fair
This day the mines paid a premium for to get supplies there
I question if it's worth the risk for another coin of gold
But I'm a signed up sailor - my indentures have been sold
There are many others like me - I know I'm not alone
But trust me on this bleak dark night I'd rather be at home
Though I'm not a religious man, I said a prayer that night
I prayed we'd make safe harbour before the morning light
Though I love the ocean a landlubber I'd rather be
As we neared the Pendeen light, the rocks came into view
The leadsman cried 'by the deep four' but we only needed two
Then he yelled 'by the mark of three' so that only left one more
By the time he'd pulled the line back in, the hull had hit the floor
The noise it made was awful but the ship carried right on
I looked at my sea-mates thinking we were certain gone
But then we made clean water - the relief it was profound
Though often in my dreams at night, I hear that eerie sound
Though I'm not a religious man, I said a prayer that night
And we made safe harbour with the first morning light
Though I love the ocean a landlubber I'd rather be
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