> Folk Music > Songs > Loose Every Sail

Loose Every Sail

[ Roud 2059 ; Ballad Index SWMS052 ; trad.]

Steve Turner sang Loose Every Sail on his 2016 Tradition Bearers album Spirit of the Game. He noted:

I found this late 18^th century parlour song in Gale Huntington’s fine book Songs the Whalemen Sang. It was apparently immensely popular at that time, but must have been appealed to those to whom a song with a great tune but a two octave range was a challenge!

Lyrics

Steve Turner sings Loose Every Sail

Loose every sail to the breeze
The course of my vessel improve
I’m done with the strife of the sea
You sailors, I’m bound for my love

Chorus (after each verse):
You sailors, I’m bound for my love
You sailors, I’m bound for my love
I’m done with the strife of the sea
You sailors, I’m bound for my love

Since Emma is true and she’s fair
My griefs shall I throw to the wind
It’s a pleasing return for my care
That no conflict but love will I find

My sails are all filled to my dear
No tropic bird faster shall move
That cruel shall hold his career
That returns to the nest of his love

So hoist every sail to the wind
Come shipmates and join in the song
Let’s drink while our ship sails the sea
To the gale that may drive her along

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Garry Gillard for transcribing Steve Turner’s lyrics.