I have had an ambition to cross an ocean under sail for
many years. I am now going to attempt to do it. [...]
It isn't safe to leave much sooner; you have to wait
for the hurricane season(*) to end.
Here's something to sing on the way. It comes from a daily
music broadside periodical produced in Leith around 1840 by
R.W. Hume. It's obviously not Scottish, though; Hume printed
a lot of English music (and even ventured into Russian once).
X:1
T:One Night Came On a Hurricane
S:R.W. Hume, The Lyre no. 7
N:Sung by T.P. Cooke
Q:Non troppo presto
M:C|
L:1/8
K:G
d|B G G G G G G G|A A d d B2 G||\
G|F A A A A A A A|d d e e f2 d||
d|d g g f e d c B|c c c e dc B||\
A|G G G A B A G F|G E A G GF ED||
G2 G2 G2 z2|d2 e f g e d B|A2 G2 G2|]
One night came on a hurricane, the sea was mountains rolling,
When Barney Buntline turn'd his quid, and said to Billy Bowling,
A strong sou-wester's blowing, Billy, can't you hear it roar now,
Lord help 'em, how I pities all unhappy folks on shore now.
Bow, wow, wow, fal-lal-de-riddy-tiddy, bow, wow, wow.
Fool-hardy chaps as live in towns, what dangers they are all in!
And now they're quaking in their beds for fear the roof should fall in.
Poor creatures, how they envies us, and wishes, I've a notion,
For our good luck in such a storm, to be upon the ocean.
Bow, wow, wow...
Then as to them kept out all day on business from their houses,
And late at night are walking home to cheer their babes and spouses,
While you and I upon the deck are comfortably lying,
My eyes! what tiles and chimney pots about their heads are flying!
Bow, wow, wow...
And often have we seamen heard how men are killed or undone,
By overturns in carriages, and thieves and fires in London;
We've heard what risks all landsmen run, from noblemen to tailors -
So Billy let's thank Providence that you I are Sailors.
Bow, wow, wow...
=== http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/ ===
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