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traditional "homeward bound" shanty for the capstan
The Mary Wallopers do it in D, capo 4 (so, F#), but Nate does it a half step down so its written without the capo.
Home Boys Home
by trad
Oh, who wouldn't be a sailor lad a-sailing on the main
To gain the respect of his captain's good name?
He'd sail a- shore one evening for to be
And that was the beginning of my own true love with me.
Chorus
And it's home, boys, home, home I'd like to be,
Home for a while in my own count- ry,
Where the oak and the ash and the bonny rowan tree,
Are all a-growing green in the north count- ry.
Well I asked her for a candle to light me up to bed
and likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head
She tended to my needs like a young maid ought to do
and then I says to her: "Now won't you jump in with me too?"
Chorus
Now she jumped into bed, making no alarm
Thinking that a sailor boy could do to her no harm.
I hugged her and I kissed her the whole night long,
I wished the short night had been seven years long.
Chorus
Well early next morning the sailor boy arose
And into Mary's apron threw a handful of gold
Saying: "Take this my dear for the damage that I've done
tonight I fear I've left you with a daughter or a son."
Chorus
"Oh if it be a girl child send her out to nurse
With gold in her apron and with silver in her purse.
and if it be a boy let him wear the jacket blue
And go climbing up the rigging like his father used to do."
Chorus
Oh a warning me maidens, a warning take by me
Dont ever let a sailor boy an inch above your knee
For I trusted one and he beguiled me
He left me with a pair of twins to dangle on my knee
Chorus
To gain the respect of his captain's good name?
He'd sail a- shore one evening for to be
And that was the beginning of my own true love with me.
Chorus
And it's home, boys, home, home I'd like to be,
Home for a while in my own count- ry,
Where the oak and the ash and the bonny rowan tree,
Are all a-growing green in the north count- ry.
Well I asked her for a candle to light me up to bed
and likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head
She tended to my needs like a young maid ought to do
and then I says to her: "Now won't you jump in with me too?"
Chorus
Now she jumped into bed, making no alarm
Thinking that a sailor boy could do to her no harm.
I hugged her and I kissed her the whole night long,
I wished the short night had been seven years long.
Chorus
Well early next morning the sailor boy arose
And into Mary's apron threw a handful of gold
Saying: "Take this my dear for the damage that I've done
tonight I fear I've left you with a daughter or a son."
Chorus
"Oh if it be a girl child send her out to nurse
With gold in her apron and with silver in her purse.
and if it be a boy let him wear the jacket blue
And go climbing up the rigging like his father used to do."
Chorus
Oh a warning me maidens, a warning take by me
Dont ever let a sailor boy an inch above your knee
For I trusted one and he beguiled me
He left me with a pair of twins to dangle on my knee
Chorus