Louis Killen - The Ship in Distress [Foc'sle Shanty]

Sea Song

[talithamac]

I miss this wonderful voice and smiling face at maritime festivals and seaport museums. This foc's'l song (not a shanty) really shows his sensitivity to the subject matter but there is also an underlying strength, which really came to the fore when it was time for shanty singing. I'm off to Oban for the International Shanty Festival (24-6 June 2022) and will raise a glass in memory of this great singer.

[DavidPridemore]

So heartfelt and moving. I believe this was a song we prepped for as singing fishermen in BLOW THE MAN DOWN, but it wasn't included in the movie. 😢 amazingly done.❤❤❤❤

[guywolff]

I love this so much ..Thank you Louis[a for a liftime of wonderful music ...

[moragmacgregor]

Man. He pulls at my heart. The way he looks, the way he sings.

[whitebellys]

a most powerful song explaining the horrors the sea forces upon us..

[TheUnknownCountry]

A great song. I find that the melody and rhythm is mimicking the action of waves of a stormy see. My favourite sea shanty.

[wandabissell]

Let's be honest and say Louisa Killen. May she RIP.

[bellebbuon]

You seamen bold who plough the ocean
See dangers landsmen never know.
'Tis not for honour or promotion;
No tongue can tell what they undergo.
In the blusterous wind and the great dark water
Our ship went drifting on the sea,
Her rigging gone, and her rudder broken,
Which brought us to extremity.
For fourteen days, heartsore and hungry,
Seeing but wild water and bitter sky,
Poor fellows all stood in a totter,
A-casting lots as to who should die.
Their lot it fell on Robert Jackson,
Whose family was so great.
“I'm free to die, but oh, me comrades,
Let me keep look-out till the break of day.”
A full dressed ship like the sun a-glittering
Came bearing down to their relief.
As soon as this glad news was shouted,
It banished all their care and grief.
Our ship brought to, no longer drifting,
Safe in Saint Vincent, Cap Verde, she lay.
You seamen all, who hear my story,
Pray you'll ne'er suffer the like again.

[mate]

The version I have heard of this was faster and I couldn't fully understand all of Louis' words... I really like this rendition.

[MandarinFoxes]

This is wonderful thank you so much!!!

[Margaret]

Lyrics - The Ship in Distress - - - You seamen bold who plough the ocean - See dangers landsmen never know. - 'Tis not for honor or promotion; - No tongue can tell what they undergo. - In the blusterous wind and the great dark water - Our ship went drifting on the sea, - Her rigging gone, and her rudder broken, - Which brought us to extremity. - For fourteen days, heartsore and hungry, - Seeing but wild water and bitter sky, - Poor fellows all stood in a totter, - A-casting lots as to who should die. - Their lot it fell on Robert Jackson, - Whose family was so great. - “I'm free to die, but oh, me comrades, - Let me keep look-out till the break of day.” - A full dressed ship like the sun a-glittering - Came bearing down to their relief. - As soon as this glad news was shouted, - It banished all their care and grief. - Our ship brought to, no longer drifting, - Safe in Saint Vincent, Cap Verde, she lay. - You seamen all, who hear my story, - Pray you'll ne'er suffer the like again.

Lyrics - The Ship in Distress - - - You seamen all who plow the ocean see dangers landsmen never know - In the blusterous wind in the great dark water our ship went drifting on the sea - Her headgear gone and her rudder broken which brought us to extremity. - For 14 days heartsore and hungry . . . Poor fellows they stood in a totter - A-casting lots as to which should die - The lot it fell onto Robert Jackson whose family was so very great - I am free to die but oh my comrades - Let me keep look out till the break of day - A full-dressed ship like the sun a-glittering - Came bearing down into their relief - As soon as this glad news was shouted - It banished all their care and grief - You seamen all who sail the ocean - Pray you never suffer like again.