Greenland Whale Fishery

Canadian folksinger Jesse Ferguson performs traditional whaling ballad "Greenland Whale Fishery" (Roud 347). Ferguson also performs the harmonies. Lyrics below.
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The Greenland Whale Fishery
(traditional [347], arrang. J. Ferguson, 2021)
V1.
In eighteen-hundred-and-forty-four,
on March the eighteenth day,
we hoisted our colours to the top of the mast,
and for Greenland bore away, brave boys,
and for Greenland bore away.
V2.
Now, the lookout in the crow's nest, he stood,
with a spyglass in his hand:
“There’s a whale, there’s a whale! There’s a whale fish!” he cried.
And she blows on every span, brave boys,
and she blows on every span.”
V3.
The captain stood on the quarter deck,
and the ice was in his eye.
“Overhaul, Overhaul! Let your davit tackles fall,
and you put your boats to sea, brave boys,
and you put your boats to sea.”
V4.
So, the boats were lower’d and the men put out,
and the whale 'twas soon in view.
Resolved, resolved was each whalerman bold
for to steer where that whale fish blew, brave boys,
for to steer where that whale fish blew.
V5.
Now, the harpoon struck, and the line ran out,
and the whale gave a flourish of her tail.
She capsized our boat, and we lost seven men,
and we never caught that whale, brave boys,
and we never caught that whale.
V6.
Now, the losing of that fine fishy whale,
it grieved our captain sore,
but the losing of those bold sailor boys,
aye, it grieved him ten times more, brave boys,
aye, it grieved him ten times more.
V7.
Now, Greenland is a barren place;
'tis a place that’s seldom green.
There’s ice and snow and the whale fishes blow,
and daylight’s seldom seen, brave boys,
and daylight’s seldom seen.

[@whidden50]

Nicely done!

[@Smorphine]

Amazing.

[@williamtoner2515]

You were born to sing this style. The CD with you singing shanties will live in my car's CD player.

[@BardofCornwall]

Thanks, Bill. Though you're a little biased, I guess, since you're on one of the tracks.

[@univacbill]

😂 it doesn’t matter. I’ll be singing along with all of them.

[@vinm300]

@@BardofCornwall LOL

[@megan2176]

Looove this! Your powerful pure voice, with the simple clean a capella, plus harmonies! Just wow :)

[@BardofCornwall]

Glad you like it!

[@Liberesto711]

Fantastic as ever. Lush harmonies my man.

[@BenKulk]

Fantastic....!!

[@brianrunyon266]

A well done arrangement. You and others are introducing me to obscure sea shanties.

[@amelmekaliche9266]

Magnifique !!!

[@ronhall8045]

Lyrics:
In eighteen-hundred and forty-four
On March the eighteenth day
We hoisted our colours to the top of the mast
(And, for Greenland bore away, brave boys)
(And for Greenland bore away)
Now, the lookout in the crow's nest, he stood
With a spyglass in his hand
"There's a whale, there's a whale - There's a whalefish", he cried
(And, she blows on every span, brave boys)
(And she blows on every span)
Now, the Captain stood on the quarter deck
And the ice was in his eye
Overhaul, overhaul! Let your davit tackles fall
(And, you put your boats to sea, brave boys)
(And you put your boats to sea)
So, the boat was lowered, and the men put out
And soon the whale was in view
Resolved, resolved, was each whalerman bold
(For to steer where that whalefish blew, brave boys)
(For to steer where that whalefish blew)
Now, the harpoon struck, and the line paid out
And the whale gave a flourish of her tail
She capsized our boat, and we lost seven men
(And we never caught that whale, brave boys)
(And we never caught that whale)
Now, the losing of those fine sailors bold
It grieved our captain sore
But the losing of that hundred-barrel whale
(Aye, it grieved him ten times more, brave boys)
(Aye, it grieved him tem times more)
Well, Greenland is a barren place
'Tis a place that's seldom green
Where there's ice and snow, and the whalefishes blow
(And the sunlight's seldom seen, brave boys)
(And the sunlight's seldom seen)

[@BAMCIS2841]

This is my favorite from this album, but I am a big fan of any Sally Brown.

[@BardofCornwall]

Thanks for the support!

[@maryfleischheuer8786]

Beautiful🌊🐳