Lyrics
Sam’s Gone Away
Maritime-themed Song
Traditional (collected from fishermen on St. Vincent’s Island, Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
I wish I was a cabin boy, aboard a man o’war!
Sam’s gone away, aboard a man o’war!
Pretty work, brave boys,
Pretty work, I say!
Sam’s gone away, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the helmsman, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the bos’n, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the first mate, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was a gunner, aboard a man o’war!
I wish I was the powder monkey, aboard a man o’war!
I’m glad he’s not the captain aboard a man o’war!
WHERE TO FIND IT
Song Notes
Jack Stanesco collected “Sam Gone Away” from fishermen on St. Vincent’s Island when he was there in the Peace Corps. He brought it back with him and recorded it on our The New Golden Ring, Five Days Singing; Volume 2 (Folk-Legacy CD-42). — Sandy Paton of The New Golden Ring. The discussion in Mudcat Café refers to this song as a “shanty” but there is no evidence offered that it was used in any of the typical applications of a work song.
We picked up this song from hearing it on the collection, Circle, performed by Rillian and the Doxie Chicks.