Song Ambassador
Salt Sea Singers
Origin
Northern England
Time Period
1890s or earlier
Song Type
Aubade
Welcome to the 2024 Sea Song Showdown fundraiser. We’re singing our hearts out to raise money for our educational and interpretive programs at the Maritime Museum of BC!
To put the “fun” in “fundraiser”, we’re showcasing eight classic sea songs performed by maritime organizations in weekly matchups until 24 June; follow along on our blog and social media to see which sea song is this year’s favourite. All campaign proceeds go directly to support our programs, but you can let us know which sea song inspired your donation by voting each week.
The Salt Sea Singers, a group of volunteers at the Maritime Museum of BC, present this beautiful aubade–a morning love song, lesser known than the evening serenade–called “I Drew My Ship”. Alas, this one has a heartbreaking turn, but is a fine example of so many common motifs and themes all rolled into one excellent sea song.
When you think about sea shanties and sea songs, you might be expecting rhymes about rum, whales, and rough conditions at sea. The perspective of those on shore, looking out into the harbour as a vessel sails away, is also part of maritime life, and the subject of many sea songs.
The Lyrics
A version of the lyrics were collected in 1893 in John Stokoe’s Songs and Ballads of Northern England with no source mentioned.
There are many versions and arrangements for this song. We’re using these lyrics:
I drew my ship into the harbour,
I drew it up where my true love lay.
I drew it close by into her window
To listen what my love did say.
“Who’s there that knocks loud at my window?
Who knocks so loud and would come in?”
“It is your true love who loves you dearly,
Then rise, dear love, and let him in.”
Then slowly, slowly got she up
And slowly, slowly came she down,
But before she got her door unlocked
Her true love had both come and gone.
He’s brisk and braw, he’s far away,
He’s far beyond yon raging main,
Where fishers dancing and bright eyes glancing
Have made him quite forget his ain.
From the 2023 Victoria Harbour exhibit:
From the opening of the first business, a blacksmith’s shop in 1846, the harbour has been a hub for commerce and manufacturing. Businesses ran the gamut from mills, shipyards, breweries, and importer exporters. Albion Ironworks fed the growing community’s need for wood stoves and was the only foundry north of San Francisco. The Victoria Gas Company, located in the Upper Harbour, was the first incorporated company in the Crown Colony of Vancouver Island. Some of the early industrial buildings still stand, although rarely do they operate as they once did.
Photo: undated Victoria Harbour view (check out Customs House). MMBC Archive P2141.
