Great Big Sea Album

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

CHORUS: Way hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Way hey and away we go
Ridin' on a donkey.

Was you ever in Quebec
Launchin' timber on the deck?
Where ya break yer bleedin' neck
Ridin' on a donkey!

CHORUS

Was you ever 'round Cape Horn
Where the weather's never warm?
Wished to God you'd never been born
Ridin' on a donkey.

CHORUS

Was you ever in Miramichi
Where ye tie up to a tree,
An' the girls sit on yer knee?
Ridin' on a donkey

CHORUS

Was you ever in Fortune Bay
See the girls all shout, "Hooray!"?
"Here comes dad with ten weeks pay
Riding on a donkey."

CHORUS

Was you ever in London-town
See the King he does come down?
See the King in his golden crown
Riding on a donkey

(written by Chris Trapper)
originanlly performed by The Pushstars

Hey, come this May,
We'll be running in the sun again, your time will come.
You're just a young broken heart.
Been out sleepin' in the yard, how could you be so dumb?

CHORUS:
All we losers stand in line just waiting for our time.
Broken angel take that plane and finger paint the sky,
'Til everything shines,
Everything shines,
Everything shines,
Everything shines.

Hey broken clock,
Hhaven't heard your old tick tocking man for much too long,
And lonely jukebox,
Iin the corner of the nightclub, man, I need your song
(I need your song)

(written by Alan Doyle)

Well come gather all around me
There is something you should know
There is no place quite like this place
If we get it on the go

So, pile your boots up in the corner
Hang your jacket from the door
There's thirty people in the kitchen
And there's always room for more

CHORUS:

Oh-oh-oh, come on now
Let's lock the world outside
Oh-oh-oh, come on I tell you now
She's goin up tonight

Well there'll be music all around you
You should see the way it feels
So come on off we go now
Heel and toe now
To the jigs and reels

'Cause somebody's got a fiddle
And someone else brought a guitar
And we got Bobby on the squeezebox
Grab a chair and raise a jar

CHORUS

Guitar/Accordion

CHORUS

Well there'll be smilin', there'll be laughin'
Well that's good enough for me
There'll be dancing all around you
This is where you want to be

So, pile your boots up in the corner
Hang your jacket from the door
There's thirty people in the kitchen
And there's always room, yes there's always room...

(written by Alan Doyle)

Girl, don't tell me that it's morning
Can we keep the curtains drawn
I haven't given you fair warning
But our ship, she sails at dawn

CHORUS:
It's true I must be going but I swear I won't be long
There isn't that much ocean between Boston and St. John's
I'm a rover and I'm bound to sail away
I'm a rover. Can you love me anyway?

And if some suitor comes approaching
Will you let him through your door
And what if I return half broken
Will you still want me anymore?

CHORUS

Close your eyes and dream
Tell me what you see
Tell me what you want
Just tell me that you'll wait for me

Girl, don't tell me that it's morning
Can we keep the curtains drawn
I haven't given you fair warning
But our ship, she sails at dawn

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Oh the night that Paddy Murphy died, is a night I'll never forget
Some of the boys got loaded drunk, and they ain't got sober yet;
As long as a bottle was passed around every man was feelin' gay
O'Leary came with the bagpipes, some music for to play

CHORUS:
That's how they showed their respect for Paddy Murphy
That's how they showed their honour and their pride;
They said it was a sin and shame and they winked at one another
And every drink in the place was full the night Pat Murphy died

As Mrs. Murphy sat in the corner pouring out her grief
Kelly and his gang came tearing down the street
They went into an empty room and a bottle of whiskey stole
They put the bottle with the corpse to keep that whiskey cold

CHORUS

About two o'clock in the morning after empty'ing the jug
Doyle rolls up the ice box lid to see poor Paddy's mug
We stopped the clock so Mrs. Murphy couldn't tell the time
And at a quarter after two we argued it was nine

CHORUS

They stopped the hearse on George Street outside Sundance Saloon
They all went in at half past eight and staggered out at noon
They went up to the graveyard, so holy and sublime
Found out when they got there, they'd left the corpse behind!

CHORUS

Oh the night that Paddy Murphy died, is a night I'll never forget
Some of the boys got loaded drunk and they ain't been sober yet;
As long as a bottle was passed around every man was feelin' gay
O'Leary came with the bagpipes, some music for to play

(written by Alan Doyle / Séan McCann)

Na na na, na na neh ah na na
Oh, Na na na, na na neh ah na na

Wouldn't it be great, if no one ever got offended
Wouldn't it be great to say what's really on your mind
And I have always said, "All the rules are made for bending"
And if I let my hair down, would that be such a crime?

CHORUS:
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
Just sing - Na na na, na na neh ah na na
Oh, Na na na, na na neh ah na na

I could really use to lose my Catholic conscience
'Cause I'm getting sick of feeling guilty all the time
I won't abuse it, yeah I've got the best intentions
For a little bit of anarchy but not the hurting kind

CHORUS

I couldn't sleep at all last night 'cause I had so much on my mind
I'd like to leave it all behind, but you know it's not that easy
Oh, for just one night

Wouldn't it be great, if the band just never ended
We could stay out late and we would never hear last call.
We wouldn't need to worry about approval or permission,
We could slip off the edge and never worry about the fall

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

A nobleman's fair daughter came down a narrow lane
And met with Captain Wedderburn, the keeper of the game
"Now my pretty fair miss, if it wasn't for the law,
You and I in a bed might lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

"Now, my dear good man," she said, "Do not be perplexed;
Before that you might bed with me, you must answer questions six.
Six questions you must answer me, and I will ask them all,
And you and I in a bed might lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

"What is rounder than a ring, and higher than the trees?
And what is worse than a woman's curse, and what is deeper than the sea?
Which bird sings first, which one best? Where does the dew first fall?
And you and I in a bed might lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

The Earth is rounder than a ring, and Heaven is higher than the trees,
The devil is worse than a woman's curse, and Hell is deeper than the sea
The lark sings first, the thrush sings best, and the Earth is where the dew
falls
And you and I in a bed must lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

He takes her by her lily-white hand and leads her down the hall.
He takes her by her slender waist for fear that she might fall.
And lays her on a bed of down without a doubt at all
And he and she lie in one bed
Roll me over next to the wall
And he and she lie in one bed

(written by Bob Hallett / Based on traditional Irish)

I drank sixteen doubles for the price of one
Tryin' to find the courage to talk to one
I asked her for a dance, not a second glance
My night had just begun

Well, I drink to the Father and the Holy Ghost
I'm kneeling at the alter of my nightly post
So I'll raise a glass, not the first or last
Come join me in this toast

CHORUS:
Because the old black rum's got a hold on me
Like a dog wrapped 'round my leg
And the old black rum's got a hold on me
Will I live for another day?
Hey! Will I live for another day?

The queen of George Street just went walkin' by
Walkin' on by with some guy who don't care
That she stood in line since half past nine
And spent three hours on her hair

Well, her friend is lookin' at me with an evil grin
I think a bloody racket might soon begin
I must have said something to the George Street queen
Now the boys are joining in.

CHORUS

So I drank all of my money and I slept out in the rain
Every day is different, but the nights they're all the same
You never see the sun on the old black rum
But I know I'm gonna do it again!

CHORUS (x2)

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Well General Taylor gained the day
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
Well General Taylor he gained the day
Carry him to his bury'n ground

CHORUS:
Tell me way, hey, you stormy
Walk him along, John, carry him along
Tel me way, hey, you stormy
Carry him to his bury'n ground

We'll dig his grave with a silver spade
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
His shroud of the finest silk will be made
Carry him to his bury'n ground

CHORUS

We'll lower him down on a golden chain
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
On every inch we'll carve his name
Carry him to his bury'n ground

CHORUS

General Taylor he's all the go
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
He's gone where the stormy winds won't blow
Carry him to his bury'n ground

CHORUS

General Taylor he's dead and he's gone
Walk him along, John, Carry him along
Well General Taylor he's long dead and gone
Carry him to his bury'n ground

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Well, ol' Lukey's boat is painted green,
Ha, me boys!
Lukey's boat is painted green,
The prettiest boat that you've ever seen,
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

Well, ol' Lukey's boat's got a fine fore cutty,
Ha, me boys!
Lukey's boat's got a fine fore cutty,
And every seam is chinked with putty,
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

Well I says, "Lukey the blinds are down"
Ha, me boys!
I says, "Lukey the blinds are down"
"Me wife is dead and she's underground"
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

Well I says, "Lukey I don't care"
Ha, me boys!
I says, "Lukey I don't care"
"I'll get me another in the spring of the year"
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

Well, ol' Lukey's rolling out his grub,
Ha, me boys!
Lukey's rolling out his grub,
One split pea, and a ten pound tub,
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

Well, Lukey's boat's got high-topped sails,
Ha, me boys!
Lukey's boat's got high-topped sails,
The sheet was planched with copper nails,
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

Lukey's boat is painted green,
Ha, me boys!
Lukey's boat is painted green,
It's the prettiest boat that you've ever seen,
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!
A-ha, me boys a-riddle-i-day!

(written by Séan McCann)

I had a dream I was moving forward, floating gently to the sun
I've come to see my world rewarded, a new day has begun
A lost bird caught in mid-migration, far away to a foreign land
Offspring of a secret nation, a new day has begun.

CHORUS:
I can see the earth below me
And I can
Feel it turn (x4)

Fog lifts to reveal potential,
Ffor generations prophesised
Our growth to be exponential,
Our promise is finally realized

CHORUS

Feel it turn
Across the sky
The world it learns
So must I

Cut steel wired into water
Fixed link, circumnavigate
Old men see your sons and daughters
No longer, no longer hesitate

CHORUS

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Though the night be dark as dungeon, not a star to be seen above
I will be guided without a stumble into the arms of me own true love.
I went up to her bedroom window, kneelin' gently upon a stone
I rapped on her bedroom window - "My darlin' dear, do you lie alone?"

CHORUS:
I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
And when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
How to gain my love's company.

She raised her head from her feather pillow, raised her arms up about her
breast,
Saying, "Who's at me bedroom window, disturbin' me at me long night's rest?"
"It's only me, your own true lover, open the door and please let me in.
For I have come on a long night's journey, and I'm near drenched to the skin."


CHORUS

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, opened the door and she let me
in,
We both shook hands and embraced each other, 'til the mornin' we lay as one.
Well now, me love, I must go and leave you; though the mountains be high above

I will climb them with greater pleasure now that I've been with me only love.

(written by Alan Doyle)

From the first hello you gave to me
I've done nothing else but smile
And I know you're in a hurry
Ah, but its gonna take a while.
So forgive me if we go slow,
But there's something I think you should know...

CHORUS:
I'm goin' fast as I can, please don't make me rush
This feeling's coming on way too fast
I'll tell you all of the things that you'll never forget
But I'm not ready say "I love you" yet
I'm not ready to say "I love you" yet.

-- Whistle Solo

Don't push me in too deep,
I've always been the fool who rushes in.
You've got to take the pieces one-by-one before you've got everything.
So forgive me if we go slow,
But there's something I think you should know...

CHORUS

Oh, there'll be times when I'm mistaken
And there'll be times when we're gonna fight
But you needn't doubt, we can work it out
And in time we'll get it right.
So forgive me if we go slow,
But there's something I think you should know...

CHORUS (x2)

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Ah, when Jack comes ashore he's got money galore
And he's seldom cut short of a job
He can dress now as well, as any can tell
With a good silver watch in his fob

Poor Jack in his life was ne'er paired with a wife
Though sometimes with lasses he links
He's a seafarin', sailmakin', gamblin', caperin'
Grog-drinking hero,
Jack Hinks, oh, Jack Hinks

When inclined for to spend he walks in with a friend
And with pleasure he sits himself down
He tips up his glass and he winks at the lass
And he smiles if she happens to frown

And like a ramblin' true blue when the rent becomes due
On the table the money he clinks
He's a seafarin', sailmakin', gamblin', caperin'
Grog-drinking hero,
Jack Hinks, oh, Jack Hinks

-- Instrumental bit

Bound home the other fall we fell into a squall
Round the northermost head of Cape Friels
We were washed away without further delay
At the thought, how my spirit it chills

We were bashed on the rocks like a hard-hunted fox
Of death and destruction he thinks
He's a seafaring sailmakin', gamblin', caperin'
Grog-drinking hero,
Jack Hinks, oh, Jack Hinks

Jack, without fail, was out in that same gale
Having drove across Bonavist' Bay
Oh, Neptune did rail as he hauled in all sail
And had his two spars cut away

Oh, but Providence kind so eases the wind
And on sailors so constantly thinks
He saved
That seafarin', sailmakin', gamblin', caperin' (x2)

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

There's a neat little lass and her name is Mari-Mac
Make no mistake, she's the girl I'm gonna attract
Lot of other fellas try to get her on her back
But I'm thinking that they'll have to get up early

CHORUS:
Mari-Mac's mother's making Mari-Mac marry me
My mother's making me marry Mari-Mac
Well I'm going to marry Mari for when Mari's taking care of me
We'll all be feeling merry when I marry Mari-Mac

Now, Mari and her mother are an awful lot together
In fact you hardly see the one without the other
And people often wonder if it's Mari or her mother
Or both of them together I am courting

CHORUS

Well, up among the heather in the hills of Bonifee
Well, I had a bonnie lass sitting on me knee
A bumble bee stung me right above me knee
Up among the heather in the hills of Benifee

CHORUS

Well, I said, "Wee bonnie lassie, where you going to spend the day?"
She said, "Among the heather in the hills of Benifee"
Where all the boys and girls are making out so free
Up among the heather in the hills of Benifee

CHORUS

The wedding's on a Wednesday, everything's arranged
Soon her name will be changed to mine unless her mind be changed
And making the arrangements, I'm feeling quite deranged
Marriage is an awful undertaking

CHORUS

Sure to be a grand affair, grander than a fair
Going to be a fork and plate for every man that's there
And I'll be a bugger if I don't get my share
If I don't, we'll be very much mistaken

CHORUS

There's a neat little lass and her name is Mari-Mac
Make no mistake, she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lot of other fellas try to get up on her back
I'm thinking that they'll have to get up early

(written by Alan Doyle, Séan McCann)

I've got a smile on my face, and I've got four walls around me
I've got the sun in the sky, ah, the water surrounds me, oh you know
Yeah, I'll win now but sometimes I'll lose
I've been battered, but I'll never bruise ... it's not so bad.

CHORUS:
And I say way-hey-hey, it's just an ordinary day
And it's all your state of mind
At the end of the day,
You've just got to say ... it's all right.

Janie sings on the corner, what keeps her from dying
Let 'em say what they want, but she won't stop tryin', oh you know
She might stumble, if they push her around
She might fall, but she'll never lie down ... it's not so bad.

CHORUS

'Cause it's alright, it's alright.
It's alright!

(accordion Solo)

In this beautiful life, there's always some sorrow (ooh ooh)
And it's a double edged knife, but there's always tomorrow, oh you know
It's up to you now if you sink or swim,
Just keep the faith and you're ship will come in ... it's not so bad.

CHORUS (x2)

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Well, it was on this Monday morning and the day had been calm and fine.
To the Harbour Grace Excursion with the boys who have a time
And just before the sailor took the gangway from the pier
I saw some fella haul me wife aboard as a volunteer

CHORUS:
Oh me, oh my, I heard me old wife cry
Oh me, oh my, I think I'm gonna die!
Oh me, oh my, I heard me old wife say,
"I wish I'd never taken this excursion around the bay"

We had full three hundred souls aboard, oh what a splendid sight!
Matt Strong in regimentals for to make our spirits bright.
And me self being in the double, when a funny things they'd say
They choke themselves from laughing when they'd see us in the bay

CHORUS

My wife she got no better, she turned a sickly green
I fed her cake and candy, fat pork and kerosene
Castor-oil and sugar of candy, I rubbed pure oil on her face
And I said she'd be a dandy when we reaches Harbour Grace!

CHORUS

My wife she got no better, my wife me darling dear
The screeches from her throat you could hear in Carbonear
I tried every place in Harbour Grace, tried every store and shop,
To get her something for a cure or take her to the hop

CHORUS

She died below the Brandies as we were coming back
We buried her in the ocean, wrapped up in the Union Jack
So now I am a single man, in search of a pretty face
And the woman that says she'll have me, sure I'm off for Harbour Grace!

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Well, they call me Hangin' Johnny
Away boys, away
Well, I never hanged nobody
And it's hang boys, hang

Well, first I hanged me mother
Away boys, away
Me sister and me brother
And it's hang boys, hang

Well, next I hanged me granny
Away boys, away
Well, I'd hang the Holy Family
And it's hang boys, hang

Well, I never hangs for money
Away boys, away
It's just that hanging's so bloody funny
And it's hang boys, hang

Oh, they calls me Hangin' Johnny
Away boys, away
Well, I never hanged nobody

(written by Telfer / Prosser / Jones)
originally performed by Oysterband

I am the fountain of affection
I'm the instrument of joy
And to keep the good times rolling
I'm the boy, I'm the boy,
You know the world could be our oyster,
If you just put your trust in me,
'Cause we'll keep the good times rollin'
Wait and see, wait and see ... oh wait and see!

There's exaltations, a sweet disintegrations
There's a few discolourations, then it comes along
You know up is what he chooses, the kisses and the bruises
There ain't nothing he refuses, then it comes along
It comes along, and I am lifted, I am lifted, I am lifted!

CHORUS:
When I'm up I can't get down
Can't get down, can't get level
When I'm up I can't get down
Get my feet back on the ground
When I'm up I can't get down
Can't get down, can't get level
When I'm up I can't get down
Get my feet back on the ground

He just needs, something to bind him
Something to wind him up
It won't take long to find him
When it comes on strong.

Black skies are grinning, street lights are spinning
The night is just beginning, and then it comes on strong
It comes on strong, and I am lifted, I am lifted, I am lifted!

CHORUS

Oh it comes on strong, and I am lifted.
It comes on strong, and I am lifted.
I am lifted, I am lifted!

CHORUS

Oh, I can't get down
Oh no, no, no, no, no, I can't get down