Go To Sea No More
A forebitter. Hugill says that this tune was very popular with Liverpool seamen. A L Lloyd writes: 'I learned this song from Fred Clausen of Stoneferry, Hull, meat-cutter in the whale factory Southern Empress, in 1940. In 1954, I collected another version from Ted Howard of Barry, which is so close to Clausen's as to make me think that perhaps there was a broadside of it in circulation at some time.â€
When I returned to Liverpool, I went upon the spree
With no money to last, I spent it fast, got drunk as drunk could be,
But before me money was all spent, on liquor and the whores
I made up me mind that I was inclined to go to sea no more.
No more, no more, to go to sea no more.
I made up me mind that I was inclined to go to sea no more.
As I was walking down the street I met with Angeline,
She said come home with me, me boy, we’ll have a cracking time
But when I awoke it was not joke I found I was all alone
Me hat, me boots and me money too and me whole ruddy gear was gone
Was gone, was gone, and me whole ruddy gear was gone.
Me hat, me boots and me money too and me whole ruddy gear was gone .
As I was rollin' down the street, I met with Rapper Brown.
I asked if he would take me in, he looked at me with a frown.
Says he, "Last time you was paid off, with me you chalked no score,
But I'll take your advance and I'll give you a chance to go sea once more.
Once more, once more, to go to sea once more.
But I'll take your advance and I'll give you a chance to go to sea once more.
He shipped me aboard of a whalin' ship bound for them Arctic seas
Where the cold winds blow and there's ice and snow, Jamaica Rum would freeze;
And worse to bear I'd no hard-weather gear, for I'd lost all me dunnage ashore,
'Twas then that I wished that I was dead, and I’d go to sea no more.
No more, no more, I’d go to sea no more.
'Twas then that I wished that I was dead, and I’d go to sea no more
Some days we're catchin' whales, me boys, some days we're catchin' none.
With a twenty-foot oar stuck in your hand you row the whole day long.
And when the shades of night come on, and you rest on your weary oar,
Oh, your back's so weak you could never seek a berth at sea no more.
No more, no more, a berth at sea no more!
Oh, your back's so weak you could never seek a berth at sea no more.
Come all you bold sea-faring men, and listen to my song
When you go big boatin, boys I'd have you not go wrong;
You take my tip when you come off a ship and don't go sleepin' with no whore,
Get married instead and spend all night in bed and go to sea no more!
Get married instead and have all nights in bed and go to sea no more!
The Exmouth Shanty Men are proud to be associated with
