Traditional English
I learned this from old Eric Ilot, "The Bristol Chanteyman" who graced our town for a few weeks some winters ago. It was also collected by Bob Roberts.
This old codger had a good dodge when he didn't want to go fishing; he's talking about a candle-lantern, a four-sided glass box with a candle in it, one side of which opens like a door. If you want the candle to keep burning, you keep the door (pane) closed.
Gordon – Spanish guitar
Now me Dad was a fisherman bold
And he lived till he grew old
'Cause he'd open the pane and pop out the flame
Just to see how the winds do blow.
Now me Dad he says to me
If you're ever going to go to sea
Do you open the pane and pop out the flame
Just to see how the winds do blow.
Now when the cold North wind do blow
Then it's we lie snug below
'Cause we open the pane…
When the wind comes up from the East
It isn't fit for man nor beast
Still I open the pane…
When the wind comes up from the West
She's going to blowup rough at best
So I open the pane…
But when the South wind soft do blow
Well there ain't enough wind to go
Still, I open the pane…
When me wife she says to me
We'll starve if you don't go
Well, I open the pane…
So if you'd be a fisherman bold
And you'd live till you grow old
Do you open the pane…
Candlelight Fisherman is recorded on the album Herrings in the Bay