16. A Sailor's Life
(McGowan)

The other track we play together, in the same way we did on track 5 (The Maid O' Bellshill). Davy ordered a cittern solo from me and left even a special space for it. I love this tune and admire Davy's ability to write these celtic folk songs in a modern way. --Jore

Not the happiest of lyrics - but it was tough times for a young sailor in 1810 I'd guess. Jore joins in on mandocello. --Davy

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A sailor's life's a hardship
I'll tell that to you true
I'd barely reached but eighteen years
When I put on the blue
Twas in the year of 1810
The flag I first unfurled
And sailed away from Spithead quay
And off to see the world

But she went down
Down way below the sea
With me

A sailor's life's no life at all
And I will tell you why
You've barely started shaving
When you're expected to die
For King and Country fighting
On a distant foreign shore
Twas such a thing occurred to me
The French I'll fight no more

For she went down
Down way below the sea
With me