Go to Sea Once More

"Go to Sea Once More"[1][2] is a sea shanty about a sailor (Jack Tarr or Jack Wrack) who once ashore, gets very drunk and loses all his clothing and hard-earned money when a prostitute steals them. Though he has sworn to never work at sea again, this situation forces him to accept a position on a whaling ship bound for the Arctic Sea, having to endure terrible conditions such as the freezing cold. The song urges sailors to avoid strong drink and the hard lifestyle that comes with it. The exact origins of the song can be traced to the English Merchant Navy, likely from the 1700 - 1900 period.

As with most traditional folk songs, different versions developed. Irish artists such as Ryan's Fancy recorded very faithful versions which maintain the Go to Sea Once More title, while other versions, such as the one recorded in the late 1960s by the American folk-rock band The Byrds on their Ballad of Easy Rider album, use the title "Jack Tarr the Sailor" while telling the same tale. The Wolfe Tones released a version under the title of "The Holy Ground" with slightly modified lyrics but which holds to the themes of the original song.

References

  1. ↑ Ingram, David (2016/1991). Songs of the Sea, No. 87: "Go to Sea Once More", A Song Book: Musical Phantasies fitting for Soldiers, Citie and Country Humours, p.128. Prince Maurice of Bohemia. ISBN 9781326547578.
  2. ↑ Lomax, John A. and Lomax, Alan (2013/1934). American Ballads and Folk Songs, p.495-6. Courier. ISBN 9780486319926.
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