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Dennis Williams, Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, 1943

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The Sailor's Alphabet - Mr. Dennis Williams [2:12]
AC: 2223 - MF NO: 289.31

Recorded: Musquodoboit Harbour, 1943. “It is probable that the chorus should be sung after every verse in the way it is usually done in this province. The last few letters are seldom put in rhyme, but he said he composed these himself.” See: SBNS p. 210.

A for the anchor of our gallant ship,
B for the bowsprit so neatly does fit,
C for the capstan we all go around,
And D for the davits our boat hangs upon.

E for our ensign so gallant and true,
F for the forecastle that holds all the crew,
G for the grog that our captain sends ‘round,
And H for the halyards we all sway upon.

So merry, so merry, so merry are we,
No mortals on earth are like sailors at sea,
To me aye, to me oh, to me hi dee me dong,
Give sailors good grog and there’s nothing goes wrong.

I for the iron on the stunsail boom,
J for the jigger block on the yardarm,
K for the keelson away down below,
And L for the lanyards we reef to and fro.

M for the marlin spike hangs on a nail,
N for the needle they sew up the sail,
O for the oars of our jolly boat,
And P for the pumps that we keep her afloat.

Q for our quarterdeck polished and strong,
R for the rudder that steers her along,
S for the sails that shove her ahead,
And T for the taffrail where we throw out the lead.

U for the Union Jack, the red, white and blue,
V for the vigilance of our brave crew,
W for the wheel that turns her about,
And X for the honour mark of the lookout.

Y for the royal yard ‘bove the crosstrees,
And Z is the zephyr, the west wind soft breeze.

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from The Helen Creighton Folklore Society Presents: Songs of the Sea, released May 24, 2023

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Helen Creighton Folklore Society Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Honoring folklorist Helen Creighton (1899-1989), who collected and published traditional music and lore of Maritime Canada. The mandate of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society is to encourage and promote work that reflects the diverse folk culture of the Maritimes as exemplified by the work begun by Dr. Creighton. For more information visit our website at: www.helencreighton.org. ... more

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