The Ship A-Raging: Gunter (OK) pre1964 Moores
[From Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest by Chauncey Moore 1964. This version is missing the beginning and ending of the ballad. The stanza formation is unusual, with groups of six lines, the last two acting as the chorus.
The problem with dating this ballad is that it probably was learned circa 1900 but the Moores provide no information about it.
R. Matteson 2014]
57. The Mermaid
The Mermaid (child, No. 289) is another sea ballad which is popular in Oklahoma. For references, see Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 363-368; Belden, 101-102; Chappell, 46-47; child, x, 148-52; 112-13; Davis, 521-28; Hudson, 127; Journal, Vol. , 74, Vol. XVIIT, 136 (Barry), Vol. xxII, 78 (Barry), vol. xxv, 176 (Belden), vol. XXVl, 175 (Kittredge), Vol. xxx, 333; McGill, 45; Mackenzie, No. 16; Morris, 328-29; Randolph, I, 189-90; Sharp, I, 291-93; and 202-204; Scarborough, Song Catcher, Speath, 71-73.
The Ship A-Raging- sung by Mrs. Lou Gunter of Norman.
Out came the captain of the gallant ship,
And a very nice man was he,
Saying, "I have a wife in a foreign land
Who will weep this night for me.
She may weep, she may sigh, with a tear in her eye,
And look to the bottom of the sea."
Out came a young lad of the gallant ship,
And a very nice man was he,
Saying, "I have a mother in a foreign land
Who will weep this night for me.
She may weep, she may sigh, with a tear in her eye,
And look to the bottom of the sea."
Out came the old cook of the gallant ship,
And a greasy old one was he,
Saying, "I care more for my skillets and pots
Than I do for the raging of the sea.
This old vessel has sailed a many a mile;
She's sailed, and sailed, but she'll sail no more.
She's a-sinking to the bottom of the sea."