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The Lighthouse Tragedy

from Set to the Music by Crosscurrents Music

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about

Benjamin Franklin is thought to be the author of this ballad, recovered from a 19th century manuscript in a Boston Harbor lighthouse keeper's cottage by Edward Rowe Snow. The tragic drowning of Boston Light keeper George Worthylake and his family took place in 1718, when the 12-year-old Franklin was a printer's assistant. In his autobiography, Franklin described the ballad as "wretched stuff, in the Grubstreet-ballad style, although it sold wonderfully" on handbills he printed and sold in the street. The refrain of "home to Lovell's Island" suggested this setting to the traditional maritime air, "Rolling Home."

lyrics

Oh! My George, this wild November
We must not pass with you
For Ruth, our fragile daughter,
Its chilly gales will rue.

CHORUS
So, home to Lovell's Island
Take us when fails the sea
To the old house where comfort
And better shelter be.

Comes the long weary winter
With its storms of driving snow;
I can only watch the beacon
Sure that you are near its glow.

Yes, dear wife, my constant service
Binds me to this narrow isle,
Love must ever yield to duty
Though the heart be sad the while.

CHORUS
So, home to Lovell's Island
Take us when fails the sea
To the old house where comfort
And better shelter be.

Only grant that on the morrow
We may safely pass the sea,
I can bravely bear my sorrow
You and Ruth here will not be.

With wild nor'wester came this morning
Cold and clear the heartless sky.
Come wife, take Ruth. A long pull
In the boat I’ll row you nigh.

CHORUS
So, home to Lovell's Island
Take us when fails the sea
To the old house where comfort
And better shelter be.

In her mother's cloak is nestled
Frail Ruth, sheltered from the blast,
Anne looks into George's face then
With quick, strong strokes they leave at last.

Now they reach the open channel
Where the flood tide breasts the gale
Rears a toppling wall of water
Making Anne's fair cheeks grow pale.

CHORUS

So, home to Lovell's Island
Take us when fails the sea
To the old house where comfort
And better shelter be.

Quick the prow is bearing upward
George into Anne's arms is thrown
Husband, wife and child together
To the chilly waves have gone.

Frenzied clasp of wife and daughter
Bears the sturdy swimmer down,
Save the boat upon the water
Nothing of their fate is known.

CHORUS (LEN adaptation)

Never home to Lovell's Island
Shall they come when fails the sea
In the old house there’s no comfort
Though there better shelter be.

credits

from Set to the Music, released July 24, 2021
Benjamin Franklin arr. Lynn Noel (air trad.)

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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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