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The Bedford Whaler

from Set to the Music by Crosscurrents Music

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about

English poet laureate John Masefield's first collection of poems, Salt Water Ballads, grew from his early years at sea where he visited New Bedford and other whaling ports. This original setting was made in 2014 as a welcome gift for the Bedford Whaler the Charles W. Morgan on her arrival in Boston, where she took her place in the Charlestown Navy Yard next to the USS Constitution. The Morgan is the only surviving wooden whaling ship from the 19th century American merchant fleet and the world's oldest merchant vessel still afloat; only Old Ironsides herself is older.

lyrics

There was a Bedford Whaler put out to hunt for oil
With a tryworks in amidships where chunks of whale could boil
And her captain came from Bedford, and did not give a cent
So over the bar from Bedford to hunt the whale she went.

But never a whale she sighted for eight and forty moons
She never lowered her boats in chase nor reddened her harpoons
So home she went to Bedford, where her owners came to ask
 How many tons of whalebone, cap, and how much oil in cask?

The captain turned his tobacco inside his weather cheek
And he said,  at least the Bible says, blessed are they who seek.
We've been at sea four years and more, and never seen a whale
We haven't a lick of oil on board, but we've had a darn good sail!

credits

from Set to the Music, released July 24, 2021
John Masefield arr. Lynn Noel

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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).
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