The Merchant Sailor's Farewell (original)
Channel: Jesse Ferguson
Date: 14/07/2020

Canadian folksinger Jesse Ferguson performs his original sea shanty, "The Merchant Sailor's Farewell." It imagines the experience of a sailor preparing for a voyage from the UK to Canada during the height of the fur trade. Lyrics below. Covers and adaptations of this song are welcome. Please give credit to me as composer and send a link to your version!

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The Merchant Sailor's Farewell
(Words and music Jesse Ferguson, 2020. Covers are welcome)

V1.
Well, it's drink off your glass, boys; tomorrow we sail.
Sing way, hey, to Canaday-i-o!
We report in the morning, each man without fail.
Sing way, hey, to Canaday-i-o!

V2.
They say Captain Bryant's a very hard man, etc.
He flogs his poor sailors whenever he can, etc.

V3.
So, lads, kiss your sweethearts, and bid them adieu, etc.
You'll get no caresses among the ship's crew, etc.

V4.
We'll square our main yard for Canada's cold shores, etc.
To bring back the furs to please the rich lords, etc.

V5.
When far from old England, we'll rock on the deep, etc.
But my lovely Nancy in mem'ry I'll keep, etc.

V6.
And when we drop anchor near old Montreal, etc.
We'll make a brisk trade with those voyageurs all, etc.

V7.
Our hold will be laden with soft beaver pelts, etc.
For the hatters of England to weave into felt, etc.

V8.
So, drink off your glass, boys; tomorrow we sail, etc.
We report in the morning, each man without fail, etc.