The lofty tall ship

from 52 Folk Songs: Yellow by Phil Edwards

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lyrics

As we were out sailing five cold frosty nights,
Five cold frosty nights and four days,
That's when we did spy a lofty tall ship,
She come bearing down on us, brave boys.

“Oh where are you going, you lofty tall ship?
What makes you to venture so nigh?"
"I am a rich merchant for fair England bound
So I pray you allow me to pass by."

"Oh no, oh no," cried Henry Martin,
"Such a thing it never can be,
For I am turned robbing all on the salt sea
To maintain my two brothers and me.”

“Then haul in your courses and let go your main sheets
And bring yourself under my lee.
And I will take from you your rich merchant's goods,
And I'll point your bow guns to the sea.”

“We'll not heave up my courses nor let go our main sheets
Nor let her come under your lee.
Nor you will take from me my rich merchant's goods,
Nor you'll point my bow guns to the sea.”

So broadside and broadside these vessels they went,
They were fighting four hours or more.
Till Henry Martin gave that ship the death shot
And she sank and she never rose more.

Bad news, Henry Martin, bad news I do say
Bad news it is coming to town.
Of a lofty tall ship and she's cast away
And the whole of her merry men drowned.

credits

from 52 Folk Songs: Yellow, released April 22, 2012
Phil Edwards: vocal, concertina, melodica, drums

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Phil Edwards Manchester, UK

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