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Making Old Ironsides New

from From Boston Harbor by Crosscurrents Music

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about

Since Oliver Wendell Holmes saved her from the scrap heap, each one of Old Ironsides' refits has been commemorated in poetry and song. In 2018, it was my turn at composition when invited to lead the Boston Area Chantey and Maritime Sing at her launch after two years in drydock.

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, today's U.S.S. Constitution maintains about 10 to 15 percent of its original wood, including the lower futtocks, keel and the deadwood at the stem and stern. It's enough for Granddad's axe.

The USS Constitution Museum invited visitors to sign their names on the copper sheets used to re-sheath her, so now there is a verse of The Constitution and the Guerriere on her hull!

lyrics

When Theseus sailed back from Crete, old Plutarch made the quip
Old planks decay, replaced with new, but is it the same ship?
Here in old Boston’s Navy Yard we still use Granddad’s axe
To refit Constitution: she’s the same and that’s the facts.

CHORUS
So here’s to her copper bottom, that once more is hid from view
And to all the copper pennies it took to make Old Ironsides new!

She’s got live oak from Florida to cut the water main
She’s got new trailboards, hawseholes too to run the anchor chain
A hundred planks, each steamed to fit Josh Humphreys’ grand design
Gun carriages and masts and sails, new quarter galleries fine.

Hull's Victory was of cannon, Stewart's victory was of sails
But the victory of the caulkers took three hundred thousand nails.
Twelve thousand feet of copper, each backed with Irish felt
Engraved with signatures galore below her new red belt.

Two years caged up in drydock was our Eagle of the Sea
At nine pm she lifts her blocks, at midnight she sails free.
And if you put your John Hancock on her sides of iron fame
Every fish in Boston Harbor will be proud to know your name!

credits

from From Boston Harbor, released June 9, 2022

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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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