Great Big Sea Album

(written by Alan Doyle / Séan McCann)

Na na na, na na neh ah na na
Oh, Na na na, na na neh ah na na

Wouldn't it be great, if no one ever got offended
Wouldn't it be great to say what's really on your mind
And I have always said, "All the rules are made for bending"
And if I let my hair down, would that be such a crime?

CHORUS:
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
Just sing - Na na na, na na neh ah na na
Oh, Na na na, na na neh ah na na

I could really use to lose my Catholic conscience
'Cause I'm getting sick of feeling guilty all the time
I won't abuse it, yeah I've got the best intentions
For a little bit of anarchy but not the hurting kind

CHORUS

I couldn't sleep at all last night 'cause I had so much on my mind
I'd like to leave it all behind, but you know it's not that easy
Oh, for just one night

Wouldn't it be great, if the band just never ended
We could stay out late and we would never hear last call.
We wouldn't need to worry about approval or permission,
We could slip off the edge and never worry about the fall

(written by Séan McCann)

I had a dream I was moving forward, floating gently to the sun
I've come to see my world rewarded, a new day has begun
A lost bird caught in mid-migration, far away to a foreign land
Offspring of a secret nation, a new day has begun.

CHORUS:
I can see the earth below me
And I can
Feel it turn (x4)

Fog lifts to reveal potential,
Ffor generations prophesised
Our growth to be exponential,
Our promise is finally realized

CHORUS

Feel it turn
Across the sky
The world it learns
So must I

Cut steel wired into water
Fixed link, circumnavigate
Old men see your sons and daughters
No longer, no longer hesitate

CHORUS

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Ah, when Jack comes ashore he's got money galore
And he's seldom cut short of a job
He can dress now as well, as any can tell
With a good silver watch in his fob

Poor Jack in his life was ne'er paired with a wife
Though sometimes with lasses he links
He's a seafarin', sailmakin', gamblin', caperin'
Grog-drinking hero,
Jack Hinks, oh, Jack Hinks

When inclined for to spend he walks in with a friend
And with pleasure he sits himself down
He tips up his glass and he winks at the lass
And he smiles if she happens to frown

And like a ramblin' true blue when the rent becomes due
On the table the money he clinks
He's a seafarin', sailmakin', gamblin', caperin'
Grog-drinking hero,
Jack Hinks, oh, Jack Hinks

-- Instrumental bit

Bound home the other fall we fell into a squall
Round the northermost head of Cape Friels
We were washed away without further delay
At the thought, how my spirit it chills

We were bashed on the rocks like a hard-hunted fox
Of death and destruction he thinks
He's a seafaring sailmakin', gamblin', caperin'
Grog-drinking hero,
Jack Hinks, oh, Jack Hinks

Jack, without fail, was out in that same gale
Having drove across Bonavist' Bay
Oh, Neptune did rail as he hauled in all sail
And had his two spars cut away

Oh, but Providence kind so eases the wind
And on sailors so constantly thinks
He saved
That seafarin', sailmakin', gamblin', caperin' (x2)

(written by Bob Hallett)

I dreamt I saw a woman standing by the strand,
Waiting for her people to come in from the land.
Waiting there for seven days, she built a fire in the sand
Waiting for her people to come in from the land.

She had the look of a refugee hiding in her eyes
And when I tried to talk to her she answered with a cry
And pointed to the water out beyond the harbour line
Where a thousand ships lay waiting, they lay waiting for my sign.

CHORUS:
I remember days of sunlight
With my father by my side
And the children, ran before us
Like the foam upon the tide

We ran like frightened partridge, when the strangers came to talk
Bringing sickness 'round them and the thunder in their walk
We ran into the valleys and we ran into the hills
The young ran before us driven by the strangers' will

CHORUS

I'm waiting by the landwash with the giant standing near
I see them coming always, the cChildren in their fear
I'm waiting on my blanket and the giant waits with me
And I will wait here always as they fill the endless sea

CHORUS

(written by Alan Doyle)

Girl, don't tell me that it's morning
Can we keep the curtains drawn
I haven't given you fair warning
But our ship, she sails at dawn

CHORUS:
It's true I must be going but I swear I won't be long
There isn't that much ocean between Boston and St. John's
I'm a rover and I'm bound to sail away
I'm a rover. Can you love me anyway?

And if some suitor comes approaching
Will you let him through your door
And what if I return half broken
Will you still want me anymore?

CHORUS

Close your eyes and dream
Tell me what you see
Tell me what you want
Just tell me that you'll wait for me

Girl, don't tell me that it's morning
Can we keep the curtains drawn
I haven't given you fair warning
But our ship, she sails at dawn

(written by Séan McCann)

I see you in the front row, dancing up and down
You're ripped and ready for a night downtown
And all the pretty boys are chasing you around
'Cause they all want to win your affection

Spent three hours getting ready for the show
Nothing on underneath and everybody knows
Mama said wear a coat or catch your death of cold
What's wrong with a little flirtation?

And then you smile at me
Is that a wink I see?
Did I catch your eye?
Should I even try?

CHORUS:
Oh, my Margarita (Margarita)
Like to meet ya (Margarita)
My Margarita (Margarita)
Think I need ya (Margarita)

Take your time, dance real slow
Remember that song from the radio
Got your old man's car, got a place to go
'Cause we all need a little temptation

Those two big fellas are looking for a fight
It's what they like to do on a Saturday night
Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe it's the lights
But they just want to get your attention

And then you smile at me
Is that a wink I see?
Did I catch your eye?
Should I even try?

CHORUS

Talk to me, baby, it's all right
I might look strange, but I don't bite
And if you'll let me hold your hand
I can find a way to make you understand

Called last call, now it's time to go
But I'm not the guy who gets to walk you home
We could have made history, I guess we'll never know
I'll see you in my dreams

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

CHORUS:
Our schooner and our sloop in Ferryland they do lie
She is already rigged to be bound for the ice
All you lads of the Southern, we will have you to beware.
She's going to the ice in the spring of the year
Laddie whack fol the laddie, laddie whack fol the day.

Our course be east-north-east for two days and two nights.
Our captain he cried out, "B'ys, look ahead for the ice!"
He hove her around, standing in for the land,
'Twas in a few hours he was firm in the jam.
Laddie whack fol the laddie, laddie whack fol the day.

Our captain he cried out, "Come on b'ys, lend a hand"
Our cook he makes the breakfast and each man takes a dram.
With our gaffs in our hands it was earlie for to go,
Every man showed his action 'thout the missing of a blow.
Laddie whack fol the laddie, laddie whack fol the day.

Some were killing, some were scalping, some were haulin' them on board.
Some more they were firing and a-missing of their loads.
In the dusk of the evening all hands in from the cold,
And we counted nine hundred fine scalps in the hold.

We are now off Cape Spear and in sight of Cape Broyle,
We'll dance, sing, carouse, me b'ys in just a little while.
We will soon enjoy the charms of our sweethearts and our friends,
It will not be long before we're down to the bend.
Laddie whack fol the laddie, laddie whack fol the day.

CHORUS

(written by Alan Doyle / Séan McCann)

I wasn't looking for a lover, I wasn't looking for a friend
I wasn't working undercover, I wasn't trying to pretend
But when you walked across the dance floor, just like the moon across the sky
I knew that I would have to see more, I knew that I would have to try
One look into your eyes and I realise

CHORUS:
Oh no, I can't stop falling
My heart betrays me
And I know, I'll start to feel it all again
Won't someone save me?

She jumped aboard the brown line, I accidentally caught her eye
She told me she was born a Libra, and I told her I was Gemini
She made suggestive conversation, then she lightly brushed my hand
Overcome by her temptations, we jumped off down by the strand
And in the English night, I realise it again

CHORUS

She asks me to come inside, we can just talk for a while
I wonder if I should, but her touch, her touch, it feels so good.
But I look into your eyes, and I realise it again.

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Well there is an ancient party at the other end of town
And he keeps a little grocery store, ah the ancient's name is Brown
And he has a lovely daughter, such a treat I never saw
Oh, I only hope someday to be the old man's son-in-law.

Well, Old Brown sells from off his shelf most anything you please
He's got jew's harps for the little boys, lollipops and cheese
His daughter minds the store, and it's a treat just to see her serve
I'd like to run away with her but I don't have the nerve.

CHORUS:
And it's Old Brown's daughter is a proper sort of girl,
Old Brown's daughter is as fair as any pearl.
I wish I were a Lord Mayor, a Marquis or an Earl
And blow me if I wouldn't marry Old Brown's girl.
Blow me if I wouldn't marry Old Brown's girl.

Well, poor Old Brown now, has trouble with the gout,
He grumbles in his little parlour when he can't get out
Oh, and when I make a purchase, Lord, and she hands me the change
That girl she makes me pulverised, I feel so very strange

CHORUS

But Miss Brown she smiles so sweetly when I say a tender word
Ah, but Old Brown says that she must wed a Marquis or a Lord,
And I don't suppose it's ever one of those things I will be
But by jingo next election I will run for Trinity.

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Though the night be dark as dungeon, not a star to be seen above
I will be guided without a stumble into the arms of me own true love.
I went up to her bedroom window, kneelin' gently upon a stone
I rapped on her bedroom window - "My darlin' dear, do you lie alone?"

CHORUS:
I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
And when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
How to gain my love's company.

She raised her head from her feather pillow, raised her arms up about her
breast,
Saying, "Who's at me bedroom window, disturbin' me at me long night's rest?"
"It's only me, your own true lover, open the door and please let me in.
For I have come on a long night's journey, and I'm near drenched to the skin."


CHORUS

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, opened the door and she let me
in,
We both shook hands and embraced each other, 'til the mornin' we lay as one.
Well now, me love, I must go and leave you; though the mountains be high above

I will climb them with greater pleasure now that I've been with me only love.

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

A nobleman's fair daughter came down a narrow lane
And met with Captain Wedderburn, the keeper of the game
"Now my pretty fair miss, if it wasn't for the law,
You and I in a bed might lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

"Now, my dear good man," she said, "Do not be perplexed;
Before that you might bed with me, you must answer questions six.
Six questions you must answer me, and I will ask them all,
And you and I in a bed might lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

"What is rounder than a ring, and higher than the trees?
And what is worse than a woman's curse, and what is deeper than the sea?
Which bird sings first, which one best? Where does the dew first fall?
And you and I in a bed might lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

The Earth is rounder than a ring, and Heaven is higher than the trees,
The devil is worse than a woman's curse, and Hell is deeper than the sea
The lark sings first, the thrush sings best, and the Earth is where the dew
falls
And you and I in a bed must lie"
Roll me over next to the wall (x2)

He takes her by her lily-white hand and leads her down the hall.
He takes her by her slender waist for fear that she might fall.
And lays her on a bed of down without a doubt at all
And he and she lie in one bed
Roll me over next to the wall
And he and she lie in one bed

(written by Bob Hallett / Séan McCann)

Here I go again, my heart's on the line.
I'm willing to pretend, one more time
I got some life to spend, on even rhymes
But when I reach the end, will you (will you) will you be mine?

CHORUS:
This time I know you're not the answer to my prayer
And I have grown with each disappointment through the years
And as bad as I am, and as bad as I am
I'm still here

On the road again
I've paid a fine
Where now is the friend
I leave (I leave) I leave behind?

I'm goin' round the bend
One more climb
But when I reach the end
Will you (will you) will you be mine?

This time I know you're not the answer to my prayer
And I have grown with each disappointment through the years
And as bad as I am, and as bad as I am, and as bad as I am
I'm still here (repeat)

I'm still here (x3)

(Traditional - Arr. GBS)

Un gros coup de vent de nord-est
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Un gros coup de vent de nord-est
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Trois navires de blé s'en firent rentrer
Nous irons jouer

CHORUS
Sur le bord de l'eau
Nous irons jouer dans l'île

Trois filles d'un roi veulent marchander
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Trois filles d'un roi veulent marchander
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Et les jolies filles ont voler le coeur
Nous irons jouer

CHORUS

La plus jeune avait les pieds léger
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
La plus jeune avait les pieds léger
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
A bord d'la barque elle a sauté
Nous irons jouer

CHORUS (x2)

Combien le vendez-vous votre blé?
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Combien le vendez-vous votre blé?
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Seulement pour vous, six sous le boisseau
Nous irons jouer

CHORUS (x2)
Dans l'île ...

J'entend ma mère m'appeller pour souper
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
J'entend ma mère m'appeller pour souper
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Et les petits enfants pleurer
Nous irons jouer

CHORUS (x2)
*Instrumental bit*

Oh vous la belle, vous nous mentez
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Vous vous la belle, vous vous mentez
Nous irons jouer sur le bord de l'eau
Jamais d'enfants vous n'avez eu
Nous irons jouer

CHORUS (x3)