Ireland has a strong connection to the sea. It is easy to see why so many songs were sung with hope and anguish related to the water. The famed Irish sweaters, with their knitted family patterns, were created as a way to identify lost sailors who might wash up later.

Ireland is full of surprises. It seems everywhere one goes even the most benign things are beautiful and interesting. For me every town, and every bit in between, brings something charming and new.

While traveling from Kinsale along the southern coast of Ireland we came upon these boats in a harbor bent over waiting for the Tide to awake them. I love how the small town is going about its business behind the boats normally. The boats seem to have personality to me. They look like proud boats just waiting for the tide to slowly regain their glory.

Below are a few Sea shanties to get you in the mood.

The Holy Ground

Fare thee well my lovely Dinah a thousand times adieu
We are saying goodbye to the Holy Ground and the girls we all love true
We will sail the salt seas over and then return to shore
And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl You Are.

Now when we’re out a-sailing and you are far behind
Fine letters will I write to you with all the secrets of my mind
The secrets of my mind, me girl, you’re the girl that I adore
And still I live in hope to see the Holy Ground once more.
Fine Girl You Are.

Oh, now the storm is coming, I see it rising soon
For the night is dark and dreary, you can scarcely see the moon
And the good old ship she is tossing about and the rigging is all tore
But still I live in hope to see the Holy Ground once more.
Fine Girl You Are.

One More Day

Oh, have you heard the news, me Johnny
One more day
We’re homeward bound tomorrow
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day
Don’t you hear the old man growlin’
Don’t you hear the mate a howlin’
Don’t you hear the caps’n pawlin’
Don’t you hear the pilot bawlin’
Only one more day a-howlin’
Can’t you hear the gals a-callin’
Only one more day a-rollin’
Can’t you hear the gulls a-callin’
Only one more day a-furlin’
Only one more day a-cursin’
Oh, heave and sight the anchor, Johnny
For we’re close aboard the port, Johnny
Only one more day for Johnny
And your pay-day’s nearly due, Johnny
Then put out your long-tail blue, Johnny
Make your port and take your pay, Johnny
Only one more day a-pumpin’, Johnny
Only one more day a-bracin’
Oh, we’re homeward bound today, Johnny
We’ll leave her without sorrow, Johnny
Pack your bags today me Johnny
Oh, an’ leave her where she lies, Johnny
Only one more day a-workin’, Johnny
Oh, come rock ‘n’ roll me over
No more gales or heavy weather
Only one more day together

Heave away

Come get your duds in order
For we’re going to leave tomorrow
Heave away, me jollies, heave away
Come get your duds in order
For we’re going to cross the water
Heave away me jolly boys, we’re all bound away
Sometimes we’re bound for Liverpool
Sometimes we’re bound for Spain
But now we’re bound for St. John’s town
To watch the girls a-dancing
Now it’s farewell Maggie darling
For it’s now I’m going to leave you
You promised me you’d marry me
But how you did deceive me
I wrote me love a letter
And I signed it with a ring
I wrote me love a letter
I was on the Jenny Lind
Sometimes we’re bound for Liverpool
Sometimes we’re bound for Spain
But now we’re bound for St. John’s town
To watch the girls a-dancing