Off To Sea Once More
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
There are minor variations between the lyrics printed in the sleeve notes for "Shady Grove" and what Garcia sings on the recording. I have transcribed what Garcia actually sings. The version on "Sady Dawg" contains further minor variations, of which one is noted below.
When first I came to Liverpool
I went upon a spree
Me money alas I spent too fast
Got drunk as drunk could be
And when my money was all gone
'Twas then I wanted more
But a man must be blind to make up his mind
To go to sea once more
I spent the night with Angeline
Too drunk to roll in bed
My watch was new and my money too
In the mornin' with 'em she fled
And as I roamed the streets about
The w****s they all would roar
Here comes Jack Rack, the young sailin' lad
He must go to sea once more
As I was walkin' down the street
I met with Rapper Brown
I asked for him to take me in
And he looked at me with a frown
He said "Last time you was paid off
With me you jobbed no score
But I'll take your advance and I'll give ya's a chance
And I'll send you to sea once more
I hired me aboard of a whaling ship (note 1)
Bound for the Artic seas
Where the cold winds blow through the frost and the snow
And Jamaican rum would freeze
And worst and bear I'd no hard weather gear
For I'd lost all my money ashore
'Twas then that I wished that I was dead
So I'd gone to sea no more
Some days we're catching whales me lads
And some days we're catching none
With a twenty foot oar c***ed in our hands
From four o'clock in the morn
And when the shades of night come in
We rest on our weary oar
'Twas then I wished that I was dead
Or safe with the girls ashore
Come all you bold seafarin' men
And listen to my song
If you come off of them long trips
I'd have ya's not go wrong
Take my advice, drink no strong drink
Don't go sleeping with no w****s
Get married lads and have all night in
So you'll go to sea no more
Notes
(1) "I signed on board of a whaling ship" in the version on "Grateful Dawg" (thanks to Jared Cofer for pointing this out)
Jerry Garcia Recordings
Date Album Recorded By
17 Dec 1990 Grateful Dawg Garcia/Grisman (DVD and CD)
6 Feb 1991 Shady Grove Garcia/Grisman
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
There are minor variations between the lyrics printed in the sleeve notes for "Shady Grove" and what Garcia sings on the recording. I have transcribed what Garcia actually sings. The version on "Sady Dawg" contains further minor variations, of which one is noted below.
When first I came to Liverpool
I went upon a spree
Me money alas I spent too fast
Got drunk as drunk could be
And when my money was all gone
'Twas then I wanted more
But a man must be blind to make up his mind
To go to sea once more
I spent the night with Angeline
Too drunk to roll in bed
My watch was new and my money too
In the mornin' with 'em she fled
And as I roamed the streets about
The w****s they all would roar
Here comes Jack Rack, the young sailin' lad
He must go to sea once more
As I was walkin' down the street
I met with Rapper Brown
I asked for him to take me in
And he looked at me with a frown
He said "Last time you was paid off
With me you jobbed no score
But I'll take your advance and I'll give ya's a chance
And I'll send you to sea once more
I hired me aboard of a whaling ship (note 1)
Bound for the Artic seas
Where the cold winds blow through the frost and the snow
And Jamaican rum would freeze
And worst and bear I'd no hard weather gear
For I'd lost all my money ashore
'Twas then that I wished that I was dead
So I'd gone to sea no more
Some days we're catching whales me lads
And some days we're catching none
With a twenty foot oar c***ed in our hands
From four o'clock in the morn
And when the shades of night come in
We rest on our weary oar
'Twas then I wished that I was dead
Or safe with the girls ashore
Come all you bold seafarin' men
And listen to my song
If you come off of them long trips
I'd have ya's not go wrong
Take my advice, drink no strong drink
Don't go sleeping with no w****s
Get married lads and have all night in
So you'll go to sea no more
Notes
(1) "I signed on board of a whaling ship" in the version on "Grateful Dawg" (thanks to Jared Cofer for pointing this out)
Jerry Garcia Recordings
Date Album Recorded By
17 Dec 1990 Grateful Dawg Garcia/Grisman (DVD and CD)
6 Feb 1991 Shady Grove Garcia/Grisman