I love a happy ending, and a rollicking good yarn this is too. one of the few sea stories that turns out well for everyone, especially the girl! also one of the first trad songs I ever learned to play, from nic jones' album 'penguin eggs'. I lived his style, and I so wanted to play guitar like him, he is a true master. I hope this version of the song conveys some of the great affection I have for his music, and certainly for this happy little song....
lyrics
it's of a fair and handsome girl, she's all in her tender years
she fell in love with a sailor boy and it's true that she love him well
oh to go off to sea with him, but she did not know how
she longed to see that seaport town, called canadee-ioh
so she bargained with a young sailor boy, he's called for a piece of gold
but straightway then he's led her down into the hold
he said i'll dress you all in sailor's gear, your jacket it shall be blue,
and you will see that seaport town, called canadee-ioh
now, when the sailors they heard the news, well they fell into a rage,
and with the whole ship's company, they were willing to engage,
they said "we'll tie her hands and feet me boys, overboard we'll throw her
and she'll never ass that seaport town, called canadee-oih
now, when the captain he's heard the news, well he too fell in a rage,
and with the whole ship's company he was willing to engage,
he said "she'll stay all in her sailor's gear. her jacket it shall be blue,
and she will see that seaport town, called canadee-oih"
well they've been down in Canada, scarcely above half a year,
and she's married this bold captain, who called her his dear,
she's dressed in silks and satins now, and she cuts a gallant show
she's the finest of the ladies down in canadee-ioh
come all you fair and tender girls, where ever you may be,
i'd have you follow your won true love when he goes out to sea,
for if the sailors should prove false to you, well the captain he might prove true,
you see the honour that i have gained by the wearing of the blue
credits
from Telling Tales,
released November 2, 2007
arrangement ~ janette geri
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