folk song

Dougie MacLean in a live performance of his own Ready for the Storm - a modern song that seems to speak to many people, singers and listeners alike.

Ready for the Storm

The waves crash in and the tide tide pulls out
It’s an angry sea but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out to warn the lonely sailor
And the lightning strikes and the wind cuts cold through the sailor’s bones, to the sailor’s soul
Till there’s nothing left that he can hold except the rolling ocean

CHORUS
But I am ready for the storm, yes sir, ready
I am ready for the storm, I’m ready for the storm

Oh give me mercy for my dreams
Cause every confrontation seems
To tell me what it really means to be this lonely sailor
But when the sky begins to clear and the sun it melts away my fear
I’ll cry a silent weary tear for those that need to love me

CHORUS

The distance it is no real friend
And time will take its time
And you will find that in the end it brings you me, the lonely sailor
And when you take me by your side you love me warm, you love me and
I should have realized I had no reason to be

While were on the subject of various banks, here’s an English ballad performed by Eliza Carthy, Norma Waterson, and Martin Carthy.

The Claudy Banks

As I rode out one evening all in the month of May
Down by the banks of Claudy I carelessly did stray
There I beheld a fair maid in sorrow did complain
Lamenting of her own true love who had crossed the raging main

Ey-oh ey-oh he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart
All on the walls of Troy

I stepped up unto her and caught her in great surprise
I own she did not know me for I was in disguise
I said My pretty fair maid my joy and heart’s delight
How far do you mean to wander on this dark and dreary night

Oh the banks of Claudy I wish you would me show
Take on a fair young maid who has nowhere else to go
For I’m in search of a young man young Johnny it is his name
And on the banks of Claudy I hear he does remain

Continue reading →