Question 1

Fisherman’s Blues

Accepted Answer

Verse 1
 I wish I was a fisherman, tumbling on the sea
 Far away from dry land, and its bitter memories
 Casting out my sweet line, with abandonment and love
 No ceiling bearing down on me, Just the starry skies above​Chorus
 With light in my head, you in my arms, Ooh ooh ooh ​Verse 2
 I wish I was the brakeman, on a hurtlin' fever train
 Crashin' a headlong into the heartland, like a cannon in the rain
 With the beatin' of the sleepers, and the burnin' of the coal
 Down the town, slashing by, and the night that's full of soul​Chorus
 With light in my head, you in my arms, Ooh ooh ooh ​Verse 3
 Well, I know I will be loosened, from bonds that hold me fast
 That the chains all hung around me, will fall away at last
 On that grand and fateful day, I'll will take thee in my hands
 I'll ride that train, I will be that fisherman​Chorus With light in my head, you in my arms, Ooh ooh ooh  With light in my head, you in my arms, Ooh ooh ooh  With light in my head, you in my arms, Ooh ooh ooh  With light in my head, you in my arms

Question 2

Tilbury Town

Accepted Answer

Verse 1Well the first I saw a TEU(Rolling up and rolling down)I wondered where the hell they stored the crewTo go (rolling down the river)ChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverVerse 2Well I used to be a rigger and I worked like hell(Rolling up an d rolling down)But now I'm working for the OCLTo go (rolling down the river)ChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverVerse 3Well cargo it comes in TEUs(Rolling up and rolling down)A 20-foot box, boys, filled with boozeTo go (rolling down the river)ChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverVerse 4There's a Tilbury girl called Kettle Jane(Rolling up and rolling down)Hot on the boil and off againTo go (rolling down the river)ChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverVerse 5Well she's got a mate called Teapot Anne(Rolling up and rolling down)She gets well brewed, she likes her manTo go (rolling down the river)ChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverVerse 6Well Tilbury girls go 'round in pairs(Rolling up and rolling down)You won't catch them, boys, unawaresAnd go (rolling down the river)ChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverVerse 7Well we're the boys to kick her through(Rolling up and rolling down)To hell with the channel and the TEULet's go down the riverChorusRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the riverRolling up and rolling downWe'll all get drunk in Tilbury TownTwenty-four hours to turn aroundAnd go rolling down the river

Question 3

Shawneetown

Accepted Answer

Verse 1Some rows up but we floats downWay down the Ohio to ShawneetownAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioVerse 2Whisky's in the jug boys, and wheat's in the sack (hey)We'll trade 'em down to Shawneetown,  and we'll bring the rock salt backAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioVerse 3Oh, them good old boys, they talk so loud and long (hey)They're wide as a barrel, and they're twi-ice as strongAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioVerse 4The water's mighty warm boys, the air is cold and dank (hey)And the cur-sed fog, it gets so thick,  that you cannot see the bankAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioVerse 5Now the current's got her  and we'll take up the slack (hey)We'll sail her down to Shawneetown  and we'll bushwhack her backAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioVerse 6Some rows up but we floats down Way down on the Ohio to ShawneetownAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioAnd it's hard on the beech oar She moves too slowWay down to Shawneetown on the OhioWay down to Shawneetown on the Ohio

Question 4

Bonny Ship The Diamond

Accepted Answer

Verse 1The Diamond is a ship, me boys, for the Davis Strait we're boundAnd the quay it is all garnishèd with bonnie lasses 'roundCaptain Thompson gives the orders to sail the ocean wideAnd we're bound for the land where the sun don't set, the darkness dims the skiesChorusAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleVerse 2Along the quay of Peterhead, the lasses stand aroundWith their shawls all wrapped around them and the salt tears runnin' downNo don't you weep, my bonny lass, though you'll be left behindA rose will grow on Greenland's shore before we change our mindChorusAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleVerse 3Here's a health to the Resolution, likewise the Eliza SwanHere's a health to the Battle of Montrose and the Diamond, ship of fameWe wear the trousers of the white, the jackets of the blueAnd when we get home to Peterhead, we'll have sweethearts anewChorusAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleVerse 4It will be bright both day and night when the whalin' boys come homeWith a ship that's full with oil, me boys, and money to our nameWe'll make the cradle for to rock and the blanket for to tearWhen we get home to Peterhead it's "Hushabye, my dear"ChorusAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whaleAnd it's cheer up me lads, let your hearts never failFor the bonny ship, the Diamond's gone a-fishing for the whale

Question 5

Last Man on the Raft

Accepted Answer

Verse 1Well they locked me up, In the brig that nightToo drunk to stand, too drunk to fightSet sail for Manilla, the very next dayThe sea was calling to take me awayWell the ship hit a whale, with a mighty crackAnd the hull tore apart and the iron bars snappedWith the roar of the ocean, and the shouts of the damnedI held fast to a barrel, while that rotten ship sankChorusWe left safe port at a quarter to threeBy 5 o’clock, it was only meThat miserable crew of the Santa MarieHave joined their shipAt the bottom of the seaLast man on the raftI’m the last man on the raftVerse 2So I’ll drift with the currents, no maps at handJust wind, rain and salt, then the sun on my backWith sharks all around just biding their timeOh what I’d do for some rum and some wineFor 24 days I’ve been on this raftThe Raftovion king, been crowned by a crabI’ve barnacled nobles, in seaweed cladIs my sanity slipping, is my mind going badChorusWe left safe port at a quarter to threeBy 5 o’clock, it was only meThat miserable crew of the Santa MarieHave joined their shipAt the bottom of the seaLast man on the raftI’m the last man on the raftBridgeNow I've fallen in love with a girl so pureWith a fish's tail and she sings so sweetHow will she go when we’re back on landWith that fishy smell and no two feetAnd My mother wouldn’t like it with her chest so bareMy sister would jealous of her golden hairAnd my wife wouldn’t like it…… oh darn it the missusChorusWe left safe port at a quarter to threeBy 5 o’clock, it was only meThat miserable crew of the Santa MarieHave joined their shipAt the bottom of the seaLast man on the raftI’m the last man on the raft

Question 6

Leave Her Johnny

Accepted Answer

Verse 1
 I thought I heard the Old Man say
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 Tomorrow you will get your pay
 And it's time for us to leave her​Chorus
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 O-oh leave her Johnny leave her
 For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow
 And it's time for us to leave her​Verse 2
 Oh the wind was foul and the sea ran high
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 She shipped it green and none went by
 And it's time for us to leave her​Chorus
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 O-oh leave her Johnny leave her
 For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow
 And it's time for us to leave her​Verse 3
 I hate to sail on this rotten tub
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 No grog allowed and rotten grub
 And it's time for us to leave her​Chorus
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 O-oh leave her Johnny leave her
 For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow
 And it's time for us to leave her​Verse 4
 We swear by rote for want of more
 Leave her Johnny leave her
 But now we're through so we'll go on shore
 And it's time for us to leave her​Chorus Leave her Johnny leave her O-oh leave her Johnny leave her For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow And it's time for us to leave her

Question 7

Girl From the Banks of the Clyde

Accepted Answer

Verse 1Oh Kathleen I’m poor but I’d fight for your loveTill the day that I take my last breathBut the look that I saw in the heart of your eyesI could see you had already fledChorusSo take me away on this cold harbour nightTo carry these thoughts far and wideTo mend a sailor's heart and to learn to forgetThe girl from the banks of the ClydeVerse 2Oh Kathleen the road pulled me far from your doorAnd the miles slowly turned into wavesI’ve nothing to give but this salt on my handsAnd the hope of a man washed awayChorusSo take me away on this cold restless nightAnd cast these thoughts far and wideTo mend a sailor's heart and to learn to forgetThe girl from the banks of the ClydeVerse 3Oh Kathleen be well as the years they do pass May your soul never wander like mineWill you think of the boy who once stood by your sideWhen the years and the tides roll on byChorusSo take me to sea on this cold lonely nightLet it swallow these thoughts far and wideTo mend a sailor's heart and to learn to forgetThe girl from the banks of the ClydeRefrainLi la li la li li li...ChorusSo take me to sea on this cold lonely nightLet it swallow these thoughts far and wideTo mend a sailor's heart and to learn to forgetThe girl from the banks of the ClydeSo take me to sea on this cold lonely nightLet it swallow these thoughts far and wideTo mend a sailor's heart and to learn to forgetThe girl from the banks of the ClydeRefrainLi la li la li li li la li la li liLi la li la li li li li liTo mend a sailor's heart and to learn to forgetI miss the girl from the banks of the Clyde

Question 8

This Man’s Not a Boy Anymore

Accepted Answer

Verse 1I sailed out with Drake to honour Queen Bess To take the Spanish Main it’s gold and bequeath It’s lands to the crown and conquer the globe Bring riches and glory may she never grow oldSail fast and freeSail fast and freeChorusWell I ruined my good looks from wind rain and saltThe women of this world well they taught me a lotI’ve set forth to sea many times gone to warThis man’s not a boy anymoreVerse 2I sailed with Nelson on that great man o warTrafalgar the Nile Grand Turk one and allIt’s a glorious sight with the fleet all unfurledWith our backs to the shore and all eyes to the worldSail fast and freeSail fast and freeChorusWell I ruined my good looks from wind rain and saltThe women of this world well they taught me a lotI’ve set forth to sea many times gone to warThis man’s not a boy anymoreVerse 3I sailed out with Jellicoe from cold Scapa FlowTo fight the Kaisers fleet and deliver a blowWell the thunder of those guns and the fear from belowOn iron and steel we best that brave foeSail fast and freeSail fast and freeChorusWell I ruined my good looks from wind rain and saltThe women of this world well they taught me a lotI’ve set forth to sea many times gone to warThis man’s not a boy anymoreWell I ruined my good looks from wind, rain and saltThe women of this world well they taught me a lotI’ve set forth to sea many times gone to warThis man’s not a boy anymoreThis man’s not a boy anymore

Question 9

Whiskey in the Jar

Accepted Answer

Verse 1As I was goin' over the Cork and Kerry mountainsI met with captain Farrell and his money he was countingI first produced me pistols and then produced me rapierI said stand and deliver for he were a bold deceiverChorusMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarVerse 2I took all of his money and it was a pretty pennyI put it in my pocket and I brought it home to JennyShe sighed and she swore that she never would deceive meBut the devil take the women for they never can be easyChorusMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarVerse 3I went into me chamber all for to take a slumberI dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was a wonderFor Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with waterThen sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughterChorusMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarVerse 4T'was early in the morning just before I rose to travelUp came a band of footmen and likewise captain FarrellSo I first produced me pistol for she stole away me rapierBut I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was takenChorusMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarVerse 5If anyone can aid me it's me brother in the armyAnd if I can find his station in Cork or in KillarneyAnd if he'd go with me we'd go rovin' through KillkenneyAnd I'm sure he'd treat me better than me darlin' sporting JennyChorusMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jarMush-a ring dum-a do dum-a daWhack for the daddy-o, whack for the daddy-oThere's whiskey in the jar

Question 10

The Night Run to Howth Head

Accepted Answer

Verse 1To old Howth Harbour in the failing light Heave away, boys, heave away boys We slipped the lines in the edge of night For the guns must reach the shore! Verse 2Well Éamon stands with a steady hand Heave away, boys, heave away boys Says “Hold her true for the promised land” And the guns must reach the shore ChorusFor O’Connell, Pearse and Connolly And for freedom we ride this stormy sea We’ll break the chains of tyranny And set our people free Verse 3The British cutters on the outer line. Heave away, boys, heave away boys But the night keeps secrets and so does time. For the guns must reach the shore Verse 4Ropes run tight and the oars dig deep Heave away, boys, heave away boys While Dublin waits and the watchers sleep For the guns must reach the shore ChorusFor O’Connell, Pearse and Connolly And for freedom we ride this stormy sea We’ll break the chains of tyranny And set our people free Verse 5A lantern flickers on the harbour wall Heave away, boys, heave away boys But the tide is high and we answer the call For the guns must reach the shore Verse 6No turning back to the old worlds lies Heave away, boys, heave away boys An embered dawn in a rebel’s eyes For the guns must reach the shore ChorusFor O’Connell, Pearse and Connolly And for freedom we ride this stormy sea We’ll break the chains of tyranny And set our people free Heave away boys, heave away boys Heave away boys, heave away boys Heave away boys, heave away boys For the guns must reach the shore

Question 11

Billy O’Shea

Accepted Answer

Verse 1
 We got drunk in Dublin city, Fall down me Billy
 We got drunk, oh what a pity, Fall down Billy O'Shea​Chorus
 Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy
 We're bound away for Americay
 Fall down Billy O'Shea​Verse 2
 We got drunk on Rogerson's Quay, Fall down me Billy
 And when we woke we were out to sea, Fall down Billy O'Shea​Chorus
 Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy
 We're bound away for Americay
 Fall down Billy O'Shea, Oh​Verse 3
 We are no sailors captain Drew, Fall down me Billy
 And we don’t want to sail with you, Fall down Billy O'Shea​Chorus
 Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy
 We're bound away for Americay
 Fall down Billy O'Shea​Verse 4
 Well the captain says, "I've a cure for that", Fall down me Billy
 "And here for a start is a taste of the cat", Fall down Billy O'Shea​Chorus
 Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy
 We're bound away for Americay
 Fall down Billy O'Shea​Verse 5
 So we sent him up to the top-mast yard, Fall down me Billy
 And when he hit the deck, oh! he took it hard, Fall down Billy O'Shea​Chorus
 Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy
 We're bound away for Americay
 Fall down Billy O'Shea​Verse 6
 So we wrapped him up in the Captain's sail, Farewell me Billy
 And lowered him gently o'er the rail, Farewell Billy O'Shea​Chorus Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy We're bound away for Americay Fall down Billy O'Shea Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy We're bound away for Americay Fall down Billy O'Shea Fall down, fall down, fall down me Billy We're bound away for Americay Fall down Billy O'Shea

Question 12

Killeagh

Accepted Answer

Verse 1From the woods of Glenbower to the river DissourFrom the arms of my mother to the land ever pureAll I have to remember, is the pride that I felt'Round the Páirc Uí Chinnéide where the boys never kneltChorus They'd go raring and tearing and fighting for loveFor the land they call Killeagh and the Lord up aboveKilleagh laLa la la laLa la la la laFor the green and the white I adoreFor the parish to last evermoreVerse 2'95 came promotion, high up on the windAnd no one up to senior, what a beautiful thingIn the darkest of hours, in the depths of despairLet the Killeagh boys roar far to rattle the airChorusThey'd go raring and tearing and fighting for loveFor the land they call Killeagh and the Lord up aboveKilleagh laLa la la laLa la la la laFor the green and the white I adoreFor the parish to last evermoreKilleagh laLa la la laLa la la la laLa la la la la laLa la la la la laKilleagh laLa la la laLa la la la laFor the green and the white I adoreFor the parish to last evermoreVerse 3When my time's at an endingWhen my days are no moreBury me with my hurley by the river Dissour

Question 13

The Wild Rover

Accepted Answer

ChorusAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no moreVerse 1I've been a wild rover for many a yearI spent all me money on whiskey and beerBut now I'm returning with gold in great storeAnd I never will play the wild rover no more ChorusAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no more Verse 2I went in to an alehouse I used to frequentAnd I told the landlady me money was spentI asked her for credit, she answered me "Nay!""Such custom as yours I could have any day!" ChorusAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no more Verse 3I took out of me pocket ten sovereigns brightAnd the landlady's eyes opened wide with delightShe said: "I have whiskeys and wines on the best!And the words that I told you were only in jest!" ChorusAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no more Verse 4I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've doneAnd I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal sonAnd when they've caressed me as ofttimes beforeI never will play the wild rover no moreChorusAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no moreAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no moreAnd it's no nay never, no nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover, no never, no more

Question 14

Sam’s Gone Away

Accepted Answer

Verse 1
 I wish I was a Cabin Boy aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 I wish I was a Cabin Boy aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warChorus
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warVerse 2
 I wish I was a gunner aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 I wish I was a gunner aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warChorus
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
Verse 3
 I wish I was a banjo man aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 I wish I was a banjo man aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warChorus
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warVerse 4
 I wish I was a shanty man aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 I wish I was a shanty man aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warChorusPretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warVerse 5
 I wish I was a captain aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 I wish I was a captain aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warChorus
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warVerse 6
 I wish I'd never been aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 I wish I'd never been aboard a man o' war
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' warChorus
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war
 Pretty work brave boys, pretty work they say
 Sam's gone away, aboard a man o' war

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Albany Shanty and Folk Festival 2026