This comes from Topic Records' 20 CD set ‘THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE’ and was sung by Pop Maynard at Copthorne, Sussex in 1956. Norma Waterson steered me towards this song with understanding and generosity. It is of course the tune which was later squared up and used for the hymn He Who Would Valiant B...
Our captain called all hands
To sail tomorrow
Leaves many a fair pretty maid
In grief and sorrow.
So dry those mountain tears
And leave off weeping.
How happy we shall be
At our next meeting.
How can you go away
Fighting for strangers?
You'd better stay at home
Free from all dangers.
I would roll you in my arms,
My dearest jewel,
So stay at home with me
And don't be cruel.
When I had gold in store
You did write me,
But now I'm low and poor
You seem to slight me;
You courted me for a while
Just to decieve me;
Now my poor heart you have won
You're going to leave me.
She fell upon the ground
Like one that was dying.
This house was full of grief
Sighing and crying.
There is no belief in man,
Not your own brother,
So girls if you must love,
Love one another.
Farewell, my dearest friends,
Father and mother,
I am your only child,
I have no brother.
It's in vain to weep for me
For I am going
Into everlasting joys
Where fountains are flowing.
Our Captain Calls was written by Traditional.
Our Captain Calls was produced by Chris Wood.
Chris Wood released Our Captain Calls on Sat Jan 01 2005.