BOUND DOWN FOR NEWFOUNDLAND On St. Patrick's Day, the seventeenth, From New York we set sail. Kind fortune did favour us With a sweet and pleasant gale, We bore away from Americay The wind being off the land. With courage brave we ploughed the wave Bound down for Newfoundland. Our captain's name was Nelson Just twenty years of age. As true, as brave a sailor lad As ever ploughed a wave, The Eveline our brig was called Belonging to McLean; With courage brave we ploughed the wave Bound down for Newfoundland. When three days out, to our surprise, Our captain he fell sick. And shorthly was not able To show himself on deck. The fever raged, which made us fear That death was near at hand We bore away from Halifax Bound down for Newfoundland. We made the land, but knew it not For strangers we were all; Our captain was not able To come on deck at all. Then we were obliged to haul Our brig from off the land With laden hearts we put to sea Bound down for Newfoundland. All that long night we ran our brig Till none o'clock next day. Our captain, on the point of death, To our record did say, "We'll bear away for Cape Canso Now, boys, come lend a hand And trim your topsail to the wind Bound down for Newfoundland." At three o'clock we sighted a light Which we were glad to see. The smallpox it being raging (That's what it proved to be) And at four o'clock in the afternoon As judge as God's command We anchored her safe in Arichat Bound down for Newfoundland. And for help and medicine Ashore then we did go. Our captain on the point of death Our sympathy to show, At five o'clock in the afternoon As judge as God's command In Arichat he breathed his last Bound down for Newfoundland. All that ling night we did lament For our departed friend And we were praying unto God For what had been his end. We'll pray the God will guide us And keep us by his hand And give us fair wind while at sea Bound down for Newfoundland.
Music; traditional. Content copyright © 2000 held by the author; Ian Hall.
