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The Whale

Written by Fred Dyer and Terry Fielding

A song from 1972 by an Australian band Fielding & Dyer, based on Herman Melville's novel "Moby Dick".

LYRICS

00:00 / 01:04

CHORUS

So bend your backs and row me lads and take me to me whale
Tonight we sing and dance and tomorrow night we sail
We'll sail into the harbour, no prouder men there’ll be
We'll show them all we've captured the monster from the sea
Die-die-die-die-de-die-die


They sailed from port one morning when the weather it was fair
A gentle breeze it pushed them and no one gave a care
They sang and danced and laughed that night and opened up a keg
They’re out to catch the monster whale that took the Captain's leg

Die-die-die-die-de-die-die
The Captain said "a piecе of gold for he who sees my whale
So bend your backs and row me lads I know that we won't fail

CHORUS


They saw the whale one morning when the weather it was fair
The men were white as ghosts, the Captain didn't care
I'll take this whale myself he said, the weak can stay behind
The strong can share my glory and tonight they'll share my wine

Die-die-die-die-de-die-die

The whale it came up closer, it was bigger than the sky
They lowered down the longboat and they heard the Captain cry

CHORUS

The whale it came so close, that it almost tipped the boat
The Captain raised his spear and he rammed it down its throat
The whale it gave a mournful cry and lifted its great tail
And brought it down a smashing their wee boat worse than a gale


CHORUS

A hundred years have passed, since the Captain and his men
Went below to spend their days in Davy Jones-es' den
The whale it goes on living but inside it wears a scar
And if you're ever near that place, a voice calls from afar


CHORUS x 2

Tags:

Australian, Whales, Sea Shanty, Ships/Sailing

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We acknowledge the Gadigal and Bidjigal people of the Eora nation, upon whose lands we gather and sing.
We acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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Numerous photos by Nick Ryden 

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