Sailing Trade- Robert Chree (Aber) 1907 Greig A
[My date, probably dates 1860s. From The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection - Volume 8 - page 516 by Patrick N. Shuldham-Shaw, ‎Emily B. Lyle - 2002. Following is family info from: http://www.glenbuchatheritage.com/picture/number849.asp
R. Matteson 2017]
John Chree (father) b. 26 Dec 1824 Sunnybrae, Glenbuchat, , d. 28 Jul 1900 Sunnybrae, Glenbuchat
(Mother) Betty Mcgrigor
Father's Grandparents: William Chruie and Mary Dawson
Father's 2nd Marriage: 11 DEC 1857 Inveravon,
Spouse2 : Catherine Innes b. 22 MAY 1831 Inveravon, d. 31 DEC 1918 Glenbuchat,
Parents: Father: Alexander Innes Mother: Henrietta Grant
Robert Chree b. 22 Sep 1852 Glenbuchat, d. 3 Oct 1915 Milltown, Glenbuchat,
A. THE SAILING TRADE- sung by "Bob" Chree of Milltown, Glenbuchat
1. The sailing trade is a weary life,
It's bereavit me o' my heart's delight.
It's left me here in tears to mourn,
Just waiting for my Willie's return.
2. It's where he's gone I cannot tell,
Nor in whose arms my love doth dwell,
But who enjoys him at this same time
Enjoys the fairest of all mankind.
3. The grass grows green where my love's been,
The little birds sing in ilka tree,
The nightingale in her cage doth sing
To welcome Willie in the spring.
4. She's caus-ed them to make a boat
That on the ocean she might float,
And view the French ships as they passed by.
And still enquire for her sailor boy.
5. She had not sail-ed long on the deep,
When a French ship she chanced to meet,
"Oh captain, captain, pray tell me true,
Is my true love on board with you?
6. "Amber is the colour of his hair,
His cheeks like roses, his skin so fair.
His lips like lilies all steeped in wine,
Ten thousand times they been joined to mine.
7. "It's your true love an' he is na here,
He is drownid in the depths. I fear,
It was just last night, as the wind blew high,
It was then we lost a fine sailor boy."
8. The sailors they were all dressed in black,
The sailors they were right mournfully,
With their silken screen on their topmast high,
The wind did blow with a pleasant gale.
9. This fair maid she went to her home,
She has called for paper, and she has penned this song,
At ilka word she did shed a tear,
And at ilka line cried, "Willie dear!"
10. As she was walking on the quay,
A row of sailors she chanced to see,
With their jackets blue and their troosers white,
Just mind her on her heart's delight.
11. She wrang her hands, she tore her hair,
Just like a lover in despair,
Oot owre a rock herself she's thrown,
"How could I live, and my darling gone?"