Over the SeaA Poem by Debbie Barry A children's ballad that drifted into my head this morning, written in the style of a 17th Century Scottish ballad. Note: It has 20 verses, plus choruses, so it's long. Over the Sea
The ships, the ships have sail’d away, Over the sea, over the sea; The ships, the ships have sail’d away, Over the deep blue sea.
My son he is a bonny lad, Over the sea, over the sea; With apple cheeks, and straw bright hair. Over the deep blue sea.
He grew to be a fine, strong lad, Over the sea, over the sea; And dream’d of seeing distant lands, Over the deep blue sea.
He went the Grangemouth Falkirk’s port, Over the sea, o ver the sea; He sign’d aboard a merchant ship, Over the deep blue sea.
His da and I, we sent him off, Over the sea, over the sea; And bid him come safe home anon, Over the deep blue sea.
I stood and watch’d upon the crag, Over the sea, over the sea; The wheeling sea birds with me cry’d, Over the deep blue sea.
My son he had a bonny lass, Over the sea, over the sea; He promis’d he would wed one day, Over the deep blue sea.
Thro’ summer sun and winter cold, Over the sea, over the sea; His lass she waited his return, Over the deep blue sea.
Word was brought of a bitter storm, Over the sea, over the sea; And shipwreck off the Irish shore, Over the deep blue sea.
His lass then wept, and so I pray’d, Over the sea, over the sea; God to protect, and keep him safe, Over the deep blue sea.
His da walk’d to the quay to find, Over the sea, over the sea; If t’was his ship upon the rocks, Over the deep blue sea.
He sought for word of my son’s fate, Over the sea, over the sea; When he knew all, he walk’d back home. Over the deep blue sea.
The lass and I, we saw da come, Over the sea, over the sea; “What news?” we ask’d when he came in, Over the deep blue sea.
My man sat down beside the hearth, Over the sea, over the sea; “T’was not our son’s ship broke apart,” Over the deep blue sea.
His lass and I, we cheer’d and cry’d, Over the sea, over the sea; To learn my son still sail’d the waves, Over the deep blue sea.
A year we waited, then two more, Over the sea, over the sea; Then one day sail’d he home once more, Over the deep blue sea.
At supper’s end, there came a shout, Over the sea, over the sea; Across the moor, then came my son, Over the deep blue sea.
My son a hearty seaman’d grown, Over the sea, over the sea; He hug’d his da, and then hug’d me, Over the deep blue sea.
The lass he kiss’d, and held her tight, Over the sea, over the sea; Then caus’d be read the wedding banns, Over the deep blue sea.
He took his lass to be his bride, Over the sea, over the sea; And soon they got their weddéd bliss, Over the deep blue sea.
A bairn was born at lamb ing time, Over the sea, over the sea; With apple cheeks, and straw bright hair, Over the deep blue sea.
My son, he sow’d a field of oats, Over the sea, over the sea; And vow’d he’d never sail again, O ver the deep blue sea.
The ships, the ships have sail’d away, Over the sea, over the sea; The ships, the ships have sail’d away, Over the deep blue sea. © 2018 Debbie BarryAuthor's Note
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2 Reviews Added on March 7, 2018 Last Updated on March 8, 2018 Tags: poem, nursery rhyme, ballad, sailing ships, merchant ships, 17th century, grangemouth felkirk, seaport quay, romance Author
Debbie BarryClarkston, MIAboutI live with my husband in southeastern Michigan with our two cats, Mister and Goblin. We enjoy exploring history through French and Indian War re-enactment and through medieval re-enactment in the So.. more..Writing
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