Interesting Facts about The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger
“The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger” – described by Doerflinger in his “Shantymen And Shantyboys” as the Deep-Water Song. According to Stan Hugill, this version is from the singing of Richard Maitland of Sailors’ Snug Harbor, and Doerflinger has given his slightly different way of singing verses 2 and 3 and their choruses. Hugill gives us only the first verse, I will reconstruct this song in full six verses as given to us in Doerflinger’s book.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the Forebitter.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
The lyrics: “Shantymen And Shantyboys” by William Main Doerflinger (1951).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 413).
The Record of The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The musical notation
The full lyrics
The Banks O Newfnland – Doerflinger
You rambling boys of Liverpool, I’d have you to beware,
When you ship on a Yankee packet ship, no dungarees do wear,
But have a monkey pea jacket all ready at your command,
To protect you from the cold nor’-westers on the banks of Newfoundland.
– We’ll rub her down and scrub her down, with holystones and sand,
– And we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks and the banks of Newfoundland!
* 2 *
We had one Jimmy Lynch from Ballyna-hinch, Mike Murphy and Jim Moore.
‘Twas in the winter of ‘seventy-two those boys they suffered sore.
They pawned their clothes in Liverpool, then they sold them our of hand,
Never thinking of cold nor”-westers on the banks of Newfoundland.
* 3 *
We had a lady passenger, Bridget Murphy was her name.
From her I’d promised marriage; on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel peticoats and made stockin’s for my hands,
For she said she couldn’t see her true love freeze on the banks of Newfoundland.
* 4 *
I had a dream the other night, I dreamt that I was home.
I dreamt that me and my true love where in old Marylebone.
That we were on old England’s shore with a jug of ale in hand,
But when I woke, my heart was broke on the banks of Newfoundland.
* 5 *
It’s now we’re passing the Virgin Rocks and stormy winds do blow,
With a crowd of sailors on the deck a-shoveling off the snow.
We’ll wash her down, we’ll scrub her deck with holystone and sand,
And we’ll bid adieu to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of Newfounland!
* 5 *
It’s now we’re passing Sandy Hook, and the cold winds they still blow.
With a tug-boat right ahead of us, into New York we’ll go.
We’ll fill our glasses brimming full, with a jug of rum in hand,
For while we’re here, we can’t be there on the Banks of Newfounland!