Blood on the Sails

Words: © Phil and June Colclough

Music: © Dick Swain

 

Dick Swain found this in a book, as a poem, and put his own tune to it, which Cindy and I arranged for our own voices.  Since then, Dick found a recording of a tune that Phil wrote himself, that we have not yet heard, so this will be the Dick Swain version!

 

GB: 12-string              C: drum

 

May the harpoon rust, may the cold steel be gone

May the seas all be clear where whalefishes run

May hook, knife, dart, and line

            all be lost in the brine

May the blood on the sails

            all be fishermen's tales

 

May the whalesmen's breath

            no more hang like the mist

May he never face danger or take any risk

May boat, gun, oar and mast all be lost in the frost

May the blood on the sails all be fishermen's tales

 

May the women on shore never have any fears

May smiles touch the cheeks

            that once ran with tears

May ship, deck, rope and bells all grow cockle shells

May the blood on the sails all be fishermen's tales

 

May the seas ne'er be red where whalefishes bled

Nor shine like the wine when the whalefish is dead

May fleets, planksheds and quays

            all be lost in the seas

And may the blood on the sails all be fishermen's tales

 

 

Blood on the Sails is recorded on the album Neighbors