This song has become one of the main examples of sea songs\u2026 It was composed by Ewan MaColl, Peggy Seeger, and Charles Parker in 1960\u2026 Spotlighting the herring fisheries and the fishermen. \u00a0\u00a0For many here in the US the iconic version of this song is as it was sung by the Clancy Brothers with Liam singing lead.\u00a0 Having said that, there are SO many superbe versions available on LP, CD, and video and we all have our favourite. \u00a0Cliff rarely sings the first and last verse\u2026 The last verse is not original but is usually associated with Liam Clancy.<\/p>\n
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With the nets and gear we’re faring
\nOn the wild and wasteful ocean.
\nIt’s there on the deep that we harvest and reap our bread
\nAs we hunt the bonny shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Oh, it was a fine and a pleasant day,
\nOut of Yarmouth harbour I was faring
\nAs a cabin boy on a sailing lugger,
\nFor to go and hunt the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Oh, the work was hard and the hours were long
\nAnd the treatment, sure it took some bearing.
\nThere was little kindness and the kicks were many
\nAs we hunted for the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Oh, we fished the Swarte and the Broken Bank;
\nI was cook and I’d a quarter-sharing.
\nAnd I used to sleep standing on my feet
\nAnd I’d dream about the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Well, we left the homegrounds in the month of June,
\nAnd to canny Shields we soon was bearing,
\nWith a hundred cran of the silver darlings
\nThat we’d taken from the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Now you’re up on deck, you’re a fisherman.
\nYou can swear and show a manly bearing.
\nTake your turn on watch with the other fellows
\nWhile you’re following the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
In the stormy seas and the living gales
\nJust to earn your daily bread you’re daring
\nFrom the Dover Straits to the Faeroe Islands
\nWhile you’re following the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Well, I earned my keep and I paid my way,
\nAnd I earned the gear that I was wearing,
\nSailed a million miles, caught ten million fishes,
\nWe was following the shoals of herring.<\/p>\n
Night and day we’re faring
\nCome winter wind or winter gale
\nSweating or cold, growing up, growing old and dying
\nAs you hunt the bonny shoals of herring<\/p>\n
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