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The Pogues – Greenland Whale Fisheries Lyrics

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Read Time:1 Minute, 3 Second

In 1846 and of March the eighteenth day
We hoisted our colors to the top of the mast

And for Greenland sailed away, brave boys
And for Greenland sailed away

The lookout, in the crosstrees he stood
With spyglass in his hand
Theres a whale, theres a whale and a whalefish, he cried

And she blows at every span, brave boys
And she blows at every span

The captain stood on the quarterdeck
The ice was in his eye
Overhaul, overhaul, let your gibsheets fall

And youll put your boats to sea, brave boys
And youll put your boats to sea

The harpoon struck and the line played out
With a single flourish of his tail
He capsized the boat and we lost five men

And we did not catch that whale, brave boys
And we did not catch that whale, whoa!

The losing of those five jolly men
It grieved the captain sore
But the losing of that fine whalefish

Now it grieved him ten times more, brave boys
Now it grieved him ten times more

And Greenland is a barren land
A land that bears no green
Where theres ice and snow, and the whalefishes blow

And the daylights seldom seen, brave boys
And the daylights seldom seen