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Constitution and Morgan

from From Boston Harbor by Crosscurrents Music

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about

When the Morgan came to Boston Harbor in 2014, I got an Official Lookout call from the outer islands where April Grant was working on a harbor cruise. Like so many women and men before me, I ran hotfoot to the docks to see "our" ship come in and berth in the shadow of USS Constitution. I'm honored to join April in this duet version.

lyrics

The Morgan came to Boston harbor under a snowy press of sail,
Past Graves Island light, attended with two tugboats at her tail.
Anchored by Old Ironsides, which made the Morgan look quite small;
I thought I heard an old man say, “They’re damn well useless after all.

“What a big fat waste of money, now they’ve finished all their fun.
Though they once were mighty useful, here and now their time is done.

Old Ironsides said, “All day long, the children scamper on my decks,
College students try my rigging, just to break their silly necks.
Nobody loses limbs or eyes or takes a sword and slays his foe;
It’s nothing like Decatur’s time, or Isaac Hull’s, I’ll have you know.

“I’ve seen the time my full broadside made Guerriere with blood to run;
Though I once was mighty useful, here and now my time is done.”

The Morgan said, “Just yesterday, when off Stellwagen Bank we lay,
Fearlessly a whale came spouting round my sides in sport and play.
First we lowered boats and chased her till she wheeled and turned about,
Then she chased the boats right back until the daylight had run out.

“I’ve seen the time I’d try her blubber, then the blubber from her son;
Though I once was mighty useful, here and now my time is done.”

“Here we both lie in the harbor, clean and painted, spick and span,
Men and women keep us pretty, tell our tales as best they can.
People come from round the world who long the two of us to meet;
Being useless after all -- yes, that’s our job, it’s pretty sweet.

“We’ve outlived our work, thank goodness, time for sitting in the sun.
Though we once were mighty useful, here and now our time is done.”

credits

from From Boston Harbor, released June 9, 2022
© April Grant, air traditional (Spanish Lady/The Pilots of Tiger Bay)

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Crosscurrents Music Boston, Massachusetts

Lynn Noel brings traditional song and heritage arts online to create community. Lynn has a voice of striking clarity and power, equally at home in rhythmic chanteys and flowing ballads.

Lynn is a respected song session leader on both sides of the Atlantic and the producer and host of the Mermaid's Tavern online folk club. She is currently Program Chair of the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA). ... more

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