Original lyrics by Brodie Buttons of the Button Collective
While you can source the lyrics to this song on the web, at Randy Dandy Shanty Clubs we sing a particular version of the song which Brodie has “approved”. Here it is.
Generally choose just 3 verses.
Long gone are the days of my shining childhood,
Long gone are the dances in halls on the hills
And I miss my family, im sure they mourn me,
Now that my home is on the lonesome sea
The sea is wide and, my home is floatin’
It’s carried on in the arms of the breeze
But you know those arms are not the ones I long for,
A girl whose hair’s red as the autumn trees
Long gone are the days of my shining childhood,
Long gone are the dances in halls on the hills
And I miss my family, im sure they mourn me,
Now that my home is on the lonesome sea
My gums are bleeding and my nails are peeling
All I can eat is salt tack and brine
And I’d sell my soul for my mothers cooking
Fresh baked bread and a glass of wine
Long gone are the days of my shining childhood,
Long gone are the dances in halls on the hills
And I miss my family, im sure they mourn me,
Now that my home is on the lonesome sea
Now in my hunger I’m seeing visions,
Of all the strong men taking my place
They keep your bed warm much better than I could
And they plant kisses on your lonesome face
Additional verses we don’t sing
The grass is green and the sand is white
As it caresses the soles of your feet
But now my shoes are made of tar and splinters
As now my home is on the lonesome sea
Long gone are the days of my shining childhood,
Long gone are the dances in halls on the hills
And I miss my family, im sure they mourn me,
Now that my home is on the lonesome sea
And I remember you your sister and mother
As you would sing and prepare the meals
Well it sounds so fleeting, still it leaves me weeping
Oh as I am now, on the lonesome sea
Long gone are the days of my shining childhood,
Long gone are the dances in halls on the hills
And I miss my family, im sure they mourn me,
Now that my home is on the lonesome sea
Featured image (c) 2018 Cindy Tonkin – pegs on the line at Meroogal.
