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I'm Off to Sea (The Sailor's Lament)

from One A'er the Eight by Papa Shandy & the Drams

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about

The song about Papa’s Papa. Based on the real-life story of Kieran’s great-grandfather, the Norwegian sailor whose (apparently genetic) love for a drink too many, led to his untimely death, ultimately leaving behind a family he never knew about.

lyrics

Well I am a man of leisure, lived a sheltered country life.
I like a bit of trouble, but I ain't a fan of strife.
I don't care if your daddy's comin' at me with a knife,
I'm far too young a man to be takin' on a wife.
I'm off to sea! Hoh No No,
I'm off to sea!

Well it's true I like a bottle, and it's true I like a glass,
And the same it can be said for a bonnie young lass.
But a son or a daughter I was never built to last.
I ain't your baby's daddy, I'm afraid I'll have to pass.
I'm off to sea! Hoh No No,
I'm off to sea!

Well I've travelled overseas, and I met young Maggie Burns.
A coupla weeks of shore leave and my life did take a turn.
She hit me with some news and that was cause for some concern.
Boy you got some work to do, some coin you got to earn.
I'm off to sea! Hoh No No,
I'm off to sea!

Well I never wanted children, it's a life I didn't chose,
But a fathers son is somethin' he should never have to lose.
I went back on the water and my wife was left confused.
My grief had overcome me so I left and hit the booze.
I'm off to sea! Hoh No No,
I'm off to sea!

A job that needed doin', so I climbed on up the mast.
It wisnae my first drink but it damn sure was my last.
I made a drunken slip and very quickly lost my grasp.
I pummelled to the deck and then my life was over fast.
I died at sea! Hoh No No,
I died at sea!

I wouldn't have been drinkin' on my final day.
My wife she was expecting on the day I sailed away.
And maybe if i'd heard the news, it could made me stay.
I would've known my daughter and I wouldn't be dead today.
But I died at sea! Hoh No No,
I died at sea!

I'm off to sea! Hoh No No,
I'm off to sea!

credits

from One A'er the Eight, released December 13, 2013
(Keiran Sinclair)

Kieran Sinclair - Lead Vocals / Acoustic Guitar
Rebecca Brown - Fiddle
Darryl McCabe - Mandolin
Sean Thomson - Dobro
David O'Neill - Bass Guitar
Calum Sneddon - Drums
Ali Hutton - Keys

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about

Papa Shandy & the Drams image

Papa Shandy & the Drams Glasgow, UK

Papa Shandy & the Drams: Bluegrass / Folk / Celtic / Rock band from Glasgow's south side, gigging around Scotland from November 2012.

(WARNING: A bit partial to a swally. UP THE DRAMS!)

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