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Tale From A Bottle

from Trappy Lad by Tony Morris

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A curious story surrounding the retrieval of a bottle with a message at Marske in Cleveland.

lyrics

In June 1878 some lads from the iron mining community of Guisborough found a signed message in a Gin bottle between Marske and Saltburn. They gave it to the Authorities. The Authorities were suspicious.

TALE FROM A BOTTLE

I am a jolly sailor, John Emery is my name,
I rub along with folk and most with me the same.

I have an eye for the girls and ask, “What sailor has not?”
But this is where there was trouble, I used to marry a lot.

They say that there are sailors with wives in every port,
Well, in my case it used to be true, I’m sorry to report.

Then I thought of a way out of this awful mess,
Even though it was likely to give many fair maids distress.

We’d been drinking Hollands
When this startling thought came to me,
I’d put a note in a bottle and sail it out to sea.

So here’s what I wrote, in my best hand,
When I launched the bottle, hoped it would soon find land.

“ Schooner ‘Secret’ of Guernsey,
Lost foremast and boat,
Four foot of water in hold.
We’ll not keep afloat.
God help us and keep us,
I’ll never more roam.
I send my love to all at home.”

Well, some lads found the bottle upon the home shore.
News spread through the land, John Emery was no more.

I left the sea. I changed my name,
To Sandy Paper, a Scot I became.

I set up as merchant in a distant town
Far away from the ocean, so I couldn’t drown.

I married once more but this time for life
And, with my experience before, I chose a good wife.

I became a rich man and raised children four
And for sins unrevealed I nourished the poor.

So all you young men, you listen to me,
It’s all very well, when your sailing the sea,
To have your wives in plurality
But a time it must come
When it’s better to run,
Leave your wives to their greetin
When you’ve had your fun
And set up on land
Far away from the sea,
Yes, set up and shut up,
Let your old life be,
Get married to one,
From others set free.

credits

from Trappy Lad, released October 29, 2014

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all rights reserved

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Tony Morris Whitby, UK

TONY MORRIS is an Own Brand Performer and Entertainer who performs his own songs and music.".
Currently running Covideo Folk Club Facebook Group.
About 200 rough and ready warts and all videos on his Facebook Profile Site, Be amazed.
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