Get all 6 Boxer John releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Vintage Underground Sessions Vol. 1, Fifteen Furlongs from the Farm to the Frontier, Blighty and Beyond, Delirium Tremens, The Great Folk Heist, and Realms of Reassuring Reality.
1. |
Farewell to Tarwathie
04:30
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Farewell to Tarwathie, Adieu Mormond Hill
And the dear land of Crimmond, I bid you farewell
I'm bound out for Greenland and ready to sail
In hopes to find riches, in hunting the whale
Farewell to my comrades for a while we must part
And likewise the dear lass, who fair won my heart
The cold coast of Greenland, my love will not chill
And the longer my absence more loving she'll feel
Our ship is well rigged and she's ready to sail
The crew they are anxious to follow the whale
Where the icebergs do float and the stormy winds blow
Where the land and the ocean is covered with snow
The cold coast of Greenland is barren and bare
No seed time nor harvest is ever known there
And the birds here sing sweetly, on mountain and dale
But there isn't a birdie to sing to the whale
There is no habitation for a man to live there
And the king of that country is the fierce Greenland bear
And there'll be no temptation to tarry long there
With our ship bumper full we will homeward repair
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2. |
The Last Letter
03:18
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Why do you treat me as if I were only a friend
What have I done that has made you so distant and cold
Sometimes I wonder if you'll be contented again
Or will you be happy when you are withered and old
I cannot offer you diamonds and mansions so fine
And I cannot offer you clothes that your young body craves
But if you'll say that you long to forever be mine
Just think of the heartaches the tears and the sorrow you'll save
When you are weary and tired of another man's gold
And when you are lonely remember this letter my own
But don't try to answer though I've suffered anguish untold
If you don't love me I just wish you'd leave me alone
While I am writing this letter I think of the past
And of the promises that you are breaking so free
But to this old world I will soon say my farewell at last
I will be gone when you read this last letter from me
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3. |
Lord Franklin
04:06
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It was homeward bound one night on the deep
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
With one hundred seamen he sailed away
To the frozen ocean in the month of May
To seek a passage around the pole
Where we poor seamen do sometimes go
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
Was the only one that ever came through
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Lord Franklin along with his sailors do dwell
And now my burden it gives me pain
For my long lost Franklin I'd cross the main
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
To say on earth that my Franklin do live
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4. |
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There were two sisters come walkin' down the stream
Oh the wind and rain
The one behind pushed the other one in
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
Johnny gave the youngest a gay gold ring
Oh the wind and rain
Didn't give the oldest one anything
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
They pushed her into the river to drown
Oh the wind and rain
And watched her as she floated down
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
She floated 'till she came to a miller's pond
Oh the wind and rain
Mama oh father there swims a swan
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
The miller pulled her out with a fishing hook
Oh the wind and rain
Drew that fair maid from the brook
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
He left her on out the banks to dry
Cryin' oh the wind and rain
And a fiddlin' fool come passing by
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
Out of the woods came a fidder fair
Oh the wind and rain
Took thirty strands of her long yellow hair
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
He made fiddle pegs of her long finger bones
Oh the wind and rain
He made fiddle pegs of her long finger bones
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
And he made a little fiddle of her breast bone
Oh the wind and rain
The sound could melt a heart of stone
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
And the only tune that the fiddle would play
Was oh the wind and rain
The only tune that the fiddle would play
Was oh the dreadful wind and rain
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5. |
No More Auction Block
03:20
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No more auction block for me, no more, no more, no more auction block for me, many thousand gone.
No more driver's lash for me, no more, no more, no more driver's lash for me, many thousand gone.
No more pint of salt for me, no more, no more, no more pint of salt for me, many thousand gone
No more auction block for me, no more, no more, no more auction block for me, many thousand gone.
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6. |
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The Diamond is a ship, my lads, for the Davis Strait we're bound,
And the quay it is all garnished with bonny lasses 'round.
Captain Thompson gives the order to sail the ocean wide,
Where the sun it never sets, my lads, nor darkness dims the sky.
Chorus:
And it's cheer up my lads, let your hearts never fail,
For the bonny ship, the Diamond, goes a-hunting for the whale.
Along the quay at Peterhead, the lasses stand around,
Their shawls all pulled about them and the salt tears running down.
Now don't you weep, my bonny lass, though you be left behind,
For the rose will grow on Greenland's ice before we change our mind.
Here's a health to the Resolution, likewise the Eliza Swan,
Three cheers to the Battler of Montrose and the Diamond, ship of fame.
We wear the trousers of the white, the jackets of the blue,
When we get back to Peterhead, we'll have sweethearts anoo
It will be bright both day and night when the whaling lads come home,
Our a ship full up with oil, my boys, and money to our name.
We'll make the cradles for to rock and the blankets for to tear,
And every lass in Peterhead sing, “Hushabye, my dear.”
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7. |
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Ain't no more cane on the Brazos
It's all been ground down to molasses
You shoulda been on the river in 1910
They were driving the women just like they drove the men.
Go down Old Hannah, don'cha rise no more
Don't you rise up til Judgment Day's for sure
Ain't no more cane on the Brazos
It's all been ground down to molasses
Captain don't you do me like you done old Shine
Well ya drove that bully til he went stone blind
Wake up on a lifetime and hold your head
Well you may get a pardon and then you might drop dead
Ain't no more cane on the Brazos
It's all been ground down to molasses.
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8. |
Down On Penny's Farm
02:49
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Come you ladies and you gentlemen
And listen to my song,
I'll sing it to you right, but you might think it's wrong,
May make you mad, but I mean no harm,
It's just about the renters on Penny's farm.
It's hard times in the country,
Down on Penny's farm.
Now you move out on Penny's farm,
Plant a little crop of 'bacco and a little crop of corn,
Come around to see you're gonna flip and flop,
Till you get yourself a mortgage
On everything you got.
Hasn't George Penny got a flattering mouth?
Move you to the country in a little log house.
Got nothing it but the cracks in the wall.
He'll work you in the summer and rob you in the fall.
You go in the fields
And you work all day,
Way into night , but you get no pay,
You're promised some meat or a bucket of lard,
It's hard to be a renter on Penny's farm.
George Penny's renters, they come into town,
With their hands in their pockets, and their heads hanging down,
Go in the store and the merchant will say:
"Your mortgage is due
And I'm looking for my pay."
Down in his pocket with a trembling hand --
"Can't pay you all but I'll pay you what I can."
Then to the telephone the merchant makes a call,
"They'll put you on the chain gang
If you don't pay it all."
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9. |
The Bold Grenadier
03:15
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As I was a walking one morning in May
I spied a young couple a makin' of hay.
O one was a fair maid and her beauty showed clear
and the other a soldier, a bold grenadier.
Good morning, good morning, good morning said he
O where are you going my pretty lady?
I'm a going a walking by the clear crystal stream
To see the cool water and hear nightingales sing.
O soldier, o soldier, will you marry me?
O no, my sweet lady that never can be.
For I've got a wife at home in my own country,
Two wives and the army's too many for me.
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10. |
Laszlo Feher
02:48
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Lazlo Feher stole a stallion,
Stole him from the misty mountain
And they chased him and they caught him,
And in iron chains they bound him.
Word was sent to Anathea
That her brother was in prison.
"Bring me gold and six fine horses,
I will buy my brothers freedom."
"Judge, oh, judge, please spare my brother,
I will give you gold and silver."
"I don't want your gold and silver,
All I want are your sweet favors."
"Anathea, oh, my sister,
Are you mad with grief and sorrow?
He will rob you of your honor,
And he'll hang me from the gallows."
Anathea did not heed him,
Straight way to the judge went running.
In his righteous arms at midnight,
There she heard the gallows groaning.
"Anathea, Anathea,
Don't go out into the forest.
There among the green pines standing,
You will find your brother hanging."
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11. |
Blue Mountain Lake
03:42
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Come all of you fellers, where'er you may be,
Come set down a while and listen to me.
The truth I will tell you without a mistake
'Bout the rackets we had down at Blue Mountain Lake.
Derry down, down, down derry down
There's the Sullivan brothers and big Jimmy Lou,
Myself and Moose Gilbert and Dandy Pat, too.
As fine lot of fellers as ever was seen
And we lumbered for Griffin on Township 19.
Bill Mitchell you know, he kept our shantee.
As mean a damn man as you ever did see.
He loafed round the shanty from mornin' till night.
If a man said a word he was ready to fight.
One mornin' 'fore daylight, Jim Lou he got mad,
Knocked hell out of Mitchell and the boys was all glad.
His wife, she stood there, and the truth I will tell,
She was tickled to death to see Mitchell catch hell.
Old Griffin he stood there, the crabby old drake.
A hand on the racket we thought he would take.
When some of the boys came and took him away,
"By Christ," says old Griffin, "I've nothin' to say."
You can talk of your fashions and styles to be seen,
But there's none to compare with the cook of 19.
She's short, thick, and stout, without any mistake,
And the boys call her Nellie, the belle of Long Lake.
And now my good fellers, adieu to you all,
For Christmas is comin' and I'm goin' to Glens Falls,
And when I get there I'll go out on a spree,
For you know when I've money, the devil's in me.
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12. |
The Leaving of Liverpool
04:04
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Farewell to Princes' landing stage River Mersey fare thee well
I am bound for California, a place I know right well
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
I have sailed with Burgess once before, I think I know him well
If a man's a sailor he will get along, if not then he's sure in hell
Farewell to Lower Frederick Street, Anson Terrace and Park Lane
I am bound away for to leave you and I'll never see you again
I am bound for California by way of stormy Cape Horn
And I will write to thee a letter, love, when I am homeward bound
I've shipped on a Yankee clipper ship, "Davy Crockett" is her name
And Burgess is the captain of her and they say that she's a floating hell
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13. |
Nottamun Town
03:46
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In Nottamun Town, in Nottamun town
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down
To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town
I bought me a horse, was called a grey mare
Grey mane and grey tail, green stripe on her back
Grey mane and grey tail, green stripe on her back
There was'nt a hair on her that was notl black
She stood so still, threw me to the dirt
She tore at my hide, and she bruised my shirt
From saddle to stirrup I mounted again
And on my ten toes I rode over the plain'
And when I got there, no one did I see
They all stood around a a-laughing at me
I called for a cup to drive gladness away
And stifle the dust for it rained the whole day
And the King and the Queen and the company more
Came a riding behind and a walking before
Come a stark naked drummer, -a beating a drum
With his hands on his bosom come marching along
Sat down on a hard, hot cold frozen stone
Ten thousand stood round me yet I was alone
Took my hat in my hand, for to keep my head warm
Ten thousand was drowned that never was born
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14. |
Randall My Son
03:39
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Where have you been all the day,
Randall, my son?
Where have you been all the day,
My pretty one?
I've been with my sweetheart, mother
I've been with my sweetheart, mother
Chorus:
Make my bed
For I'm sick to my heart
And fain would lie down.
What have you been eating,
Randall, my son?
What have you been eating,
My pretty one?
O eels in boiled broth mother,
O eels in boiled broth mother,
I fear you've been poisoned
Randall my son
I fear you've been poisoned
My little one.
O yes I've been poisoned mother,
Yes I've been poisoned mother.
Chorus
What will you give to your mother,
my son?
What will you give to her,
My pretty one?
My silver and gold mother,
My silver and gold mother
Chorus
What will you give to your sweetheart,
my son?
What will you give to her,
My pretty one?
A rope to hang her, mother
A rope to hang her, mother
Make my bed
For I'm sick to my heart
And I fain would lie down.
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15. |
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Cold winter was howling o'er moorland and mountain
And wild was the surge on the dark rolling sea
When just about daybreak I spied a wee lassie
Who asked me the road and the miles to Dundee
Says I, my young lassie, I canna well tell ye
The road and the distance I canna well give
But if you'll permit me to go a wee bit dear
I'll show ye the road and the miles to Dundee
At once she consented and gave me her arm
Ne'er a word did I ask who that lassie might be
She said, gentle sir, I'll never forget ye
For showing me so far on the road to Dundee
Then she took the gold ring that she wore on her bosom
Said take ye this in remembrance of me
So bravely I kissed the sweet lips o' the lassie
Ere I parted wi' her on the road to Dundee
So here's to that lassie I canna forget her
And every laddie who's listening to me
O never be loathe to convey a young lassie
Though it's only to show her the road to Dundee
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16. |
The Forlorn Lover
03:20
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I once loved a lass for many's the day
And I countered them that against her did say
But now she's rewarded me well for my pain
She's going to be wed to another
When I saw my bonnie love to the church go
With bridegrooms and maidens she had a fine show
And I followed after with heart full of woe
Though it was not my fortune to get her
The clerk of the session he gave a loud cry
Those with objections I pray bring them nigh
Thinks I to myself oh objections have I
Though it was not will to confront her
The men of the forest they ask unto me
How many strawberrys grown in the salt sea
And I asked them back most mysteriously
How many ships sail in the forest?
I could dig me a grave so dark long and deep
And strew it all over with flowers so sweet
And there lay me down for to take a long sleep
That might be the way to forget her
But now she is off so away let her go
I'll never give over to sorrow or woe
But I'll cheer myself up and around I will go
And hope I will soon find another
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17. |
Deliverance Will Come
03:56
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I saw a wayworn traveler, in tattered garments clad,
And struggling up the mountain, it seemed that he was sad;
His back was laden heavy, his strength was almost gone,
Yet he shouted as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!"
Refrain
Then palms of victory, crowns of glory,
Palms of victory I shall wear.
The summer sun was shining, the sweat was on his brow,
His garments worn and dusty, his step seemed very slow;
But he kept pressing onward, for he was wending home,
Still shouting as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!"
Refrain
The songsters in the arbor that stood beside the way
Attracted his attention, inviting his delay:
His watchword being "Onward!" he stopped his ears and ran,
Still shouting as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!"
Refrain
I saw him in the evening; the sun was bending low;
He'd overtopped the mountain, and reached the vale below:
He saw the Golden City─his everlasting home─
And shouted loud, "Hosanna! Deliverance will come!"
Refrain
While gazing on that city, just o'er the narrow flood,
A band of holy angels came from the throne of God;
They bore him on their pinions safe o'er the dashing foam,
And joined him in his triumph: Deliverance had come!
Refrain
I heard the song of triumph they sang upon that shore,
Saying, "Jesus has redeemed us to suffer nevermore!"
Then casting his eyes backward on the race which he had run,
He shouted loud, "Hosanna! Deliverance has come!"
Refrain
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18. |
Scarborough Fair
04:27
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Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Remember me to one who lives there,
For once she was a true love of mine.
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without no seam nor needlework,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Where water never sprung nor drop of rain fell,
Then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
That never bore blossom since Adam was born,
Then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to find me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Between the sea salt and the sea sand,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to plough it with a lamb's horn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And to sow it all o'er with one peppercorn,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And to tie it all up with a peacock's feather,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Remember me to one who lives there,
For once she was a true love of mine.
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19. |
Chimes of Trinity
03:20
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20. |
The Parting Glass
03:28
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Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.
Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone has my heart enthralled.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.
Of all the comrades that ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not,
I will gently rise and I'll softly call, "Goodnight and joy be with you all!"
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Boxer John Bournemouth, UK
Born: England, Currently lives: Vienna
"In order to write songs about life, you must live your
life. Songwriting is often an unshakable imperative; the words and the melodies flow from you because they have no where else to go. You write because you must, not simply because you can".
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