The Bonnie Ship the Diamond

On Springthyme SPRCD 1042
Shepheard, Spiers & Watson - They Smiled as We Cam In

Tom Spiers: This version of the well known whaling song was learnt from the singing of Peter Hall who may have taken it from the Greig-Duncan manuscripts where there are eight texts with tunes although none is quite the same as this.

The Diamond was built in QuŽbec in 1801 and brought into the Aberdeen fleet in 1812. The Aberdeen Journal of 18 March 1812 reports: ŇThe fine new Ship Diamond, Gibbon (that is, with Captain Gibbon in command) sailed on Thursday last, for the DavisŐ Straits Whale Fishery.Ó When she arrived back in August she had a catch of eleven fish (that is, whales). The ship went on a yearly voyage until 1819 when she was caught in the early autumn ice and lost while staying too late in the season. Fortunately the crew were all saved. (GD 1:11; Roud 2172)

Tom (vocal) with Pete (melodeon and vocal) and Arthur (whistle and vocal)

1: The Diamond itŐs a ship ma lads, for Davis Straits sheŐs bound,
The quay it is aa garnished wi bonnie lassies roon;
Captain Gibbon gives command, tae sail the ocean wide,
Far the sun it niver sets ma lads, nor darkness dim the sky. [far=where

Chorus:
Sae be cheerful ma lads and let yer herts niver fail,
For the bonnie ship the Diamond goes a-fishin for the whale.

2: Alang the quay at Aiberdeen the lassies stan aroon,
Their shawls aa pued aboot them, their saut tears rinnin doun;
ŇDinna greet ma bonnie lassie, though yeŐve been left behind,
The roseŐll grow on GreenlandŐs ice afore I change ma mind.Ó

3: Best wishes tae the Greenland fleet and aa the whalin trade,
And likewise tae the sailor lads fa earn their daily breid; [fa=who
They wear the trousers o the white and the jackets o the blue,
Fan they get back tae Aiberdeen theyŐll find sweetherts a-new. [fan=when

4: Sae jovial it will be the day, fan the Greenland men come hame,
Wi ships thatŐs full o oil ma lads, and money tae their names;
TheyŐll mak the cradle for tae rock and the blankets for tae teer,
And ilka lass in Aiberdeen cry, ŇHish-a-ba ma dear.Ó

5: HereŐs a health untae the Hercules and anither tae the Jane,
A health untae the Bon-accord and the Diamond ship o fame;
A health to Captain Gibbon, and aa the DiamondŐs crew,
A health tae every bonnie lass thatŐs got a hert thatŐs true.

6: HereŐs a health untae the Hercules and anither tae the Jane,
A health untae the Bon-accord and the Diamond ship o fame;
A health to Captain Gibbon, and aa the DiamondŐs crew,
A health tae every bonnie lass thatŐs got a hert thatŐs true.

Chorus:
Sae be cheerful ma lads and let yer herts niver fail,
For the bonnie ship the Diamond goes a-fishin for the whale.

c p 2006 Springthyme Records Ľ Springthyme Music