Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
Played by Jerry Garcia and David Nelson at the College of San Mateo in November 1962.
ChorusJerry Garcia's version is basically the same as the version recorded by the New Lost City Ramblers. The song has links to a number of related traditional songs. one is a Carter Family song with the title "Waves On The Sea":
Oh the raging sea how it roars
And the cold chilly winds how they blow
While the night us poor sailors are sinking in the deep
While the landlord lies dreaming down below
Nine times round said the captain of the ship
And it's nine times round said he
Oh it's nine times round, and we're sinking in the deep
While the landlord lies dreaming down below
First on the deck was the captain of the ship
And a fine looking fellow was he
Said I have a wife down in New Mexico
And tonight she is dreaming for me
The next on the deck was the lady of the ship
A fine looking lady was she
Says I have a husband in New Mexico
And tonight he is thinking of me
The next on the deck was the sassy little cook
A sassy little fellow was he
He cared no more for his wife and his child
Than the fishes who live in the sea
ChorusAnother is a song called "The Mermaid". There are many different versions, but this is one:
Oh, the waves on the sea, how they roll
And the chilly winds, how they do blow
My own true love got drownded in the deep
And the ship never got to the shore
Oh the first on the deck was the porter of the ship
And a rough-looking fellow was he
Says, I care no more for my wife and my child
Than I do for the fish in the sea
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving after me
For I never expect to see her any more
'Twas Friday morn when we set sail
And our ship not far from land
And our captain did espy a pretty mermaid
With a comb and a glass in her hand, her hand, her hand
With a comb and a glass in her hand
Chorus
Oh the raging seas did roar
And the stormy winds did blow
And we jolly sailor boys were up, up aloft
And the land lubbers lying down below, below, below
And the land lubbers lying down below
Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship
And a well-spoken man was he
I have me a wife in old Salem town
And this night she a widow will be, will be, will be
And this night she a widow will be
And up spoke the cookie of our gallant ship
And a red hot cookie was he
Saying I care much more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea, the sea, the sea
Than I do for the bottom of the sea
Then three times round went our gallant ship
And three times round went she
Three times round went our gallant ship
As she sank to the bottom of the sea, the sea, the sea
As she sank to the bottom of the sea