Samuel Weston Evans - Shanty for a Sorrowed Sailor Lyrics

There once was a sailor who docked at the bay
On the island was a maiden he talked with each day
They fell madly in love, but he would soon sail away
So she sang him this shanty to convince him to stay
Follow me, sailor, and stay by my side
Together we'll share an adventurous ride
Greater than any you'd find out at sea
Just leave that life behind and spend this one with me
Convinced, he stayed and took her as his wife
And together they started a wonderful life
But his longing for the sea began to cut like a knife
So she made him this deal to prevent any strife
Set sail, my sailor, beyond the seaside
And have yourself one final maritime ride
Just promise when it's done you'll return home to me
And you'll stay on the shore so we can start a family
So the sailor agreed and he set sail that day
But he was caught in a storm and got lost in the fray
So his wife took a rowboat to the edge of the bay
With a lantern and a shanty to help lead the way
Follow me, sailor, come here by my side
Let my voice guide you back from this turbulent ride
I know that you're lost on this wild raging sea
But I'll get you home safely, if you listen to me
So he followed her voice till he saw lantern light
But it soon fell silent and the flame became slight
The scene that he found was a harrowing sight
For her boat had been capsized by the ocean's great might
He started to panic, afraid that she'd drowned
So he dove overboard and searched all around
He looked everywhere, but she could not be found
So he sang her this song, hoping she'd hear the sound
Hear me, dear wife, and come here by my side
I know that you're out there, somewhere on the tide
I can't live without you, please come back to me
Let's return to the shore and I'll never leave thee
He spent the night searching, but to no avail
So he returned home that morning, feeling worn out and frail
He mourned on the beach and let out a deep wail
Then he drowned out his sorrows with brandy and ale
But soon he noticed a faint song in his ear
And the more that he drank, the more he could hear
He heard his wife's shanty and her voice was so clear
Like a siren, it beckoned the sailor to come near
Follow me, sailor, I'm here in the tide
Though my body was lost, my soul has not died
We can still be together within the great sea
Just leave that life behind and spend this one with me
So he downed the bottle and drowned out his sorrows
To forget yesterday and prevent more tomorrows
The sailor began singing, then his wife's voice he followed
And walked into the ocean, by the sea he was swallowed
So the pair of lovers were never seen again
Sorry this story has such a tragic end
But you can still hear them singing their song now and then
If you listen closely to the ocean, my friend