Capstan Shanty

(앨범: Hostis Humani Generis - 2020)

Johnnie left his home
As a rebel he was known
A carpenter by trade
But a Jacobite by name

A sailor's life he chose
Off the Nova Scotian coast
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
He sailed away this fall
For a shilling now that's all
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

Strike the hammer to the cable
For the capstan keeps on turning
Push now Johnnie, push now Johnnie
All the way to Glen Dessarry
Where the lass you married
Waulks the wool with arms aweary
Push now Johnnie, push now Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes now Johnnie

The northern wind it blows
Oh, wherever Johnnie goes
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
The Highlands white with snow
And stowed away the plough
So do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

No rest upon this boat
From the stern up to the sprout
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
To head back home be time
For now pardoned be his crimes
So do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

Belle isle is over frozen
And a longer route now chosen
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
But Spring has come so fair
And the share's behind the mare
So do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

We're making way so slowly
And waters here be shoaly
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
The rams now have been shorn
And your baby boy was born
So do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

So high the waves do roll
In this godforsaken hole
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
But Lochaber's in bloom
In the bonny Highland June
So do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

Oh, Johnnie sighs and moans
From the rigging he was thrown
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
While bound his sweet colleen
For the fields to reape and glean
So do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes

Strike the hammer to the cable
For the capstan keeps on turning
Push now Johnnie, push now Johnnie
All the way to Glen Dessarry
Where the lass you married
Waulks the wool with arms aweary
Push now Johnnie, push now Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes now Johnnie

Johnnie took his his final rest
Three days just from Durness
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes
In cerement enclosed
And a stitch right through his nose
Do another lap 'round the capstan Johnnie
'Round and 'round she goes