Rounding the Horn

Rounding Cape Horn was one of the most treacherous sea navigations that a ship could undertake and was the quickest route to Chile until the dawn of air travel. In this song, despite the ship being kitted out with all new sails and rigging, two souls are lost despite the best efforts of the crew; however the rewards for a sailor seem to fully make up for the journey although on leaving one wonders how they were getting back home! It's certainly a ripping yarn with the camaraderie between the ship mates and those on other ships providing an excellent backdrop to the action. A real spurring tale to have at a sing around!

As a geographical note, it has to be said in the third verse that the Magellan strait is not close to the Horn itself, the term "beating off" must be taken with a pinch of salt methinks (any other suggestions?)

This song, collected from Mr W Bolton in 1907 by Anne Gilchrist was published by Bert Lloyd and Ralph Vaughan Williams in the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs is a surprising rarity in that only one other variation on it has been collected, again by Gilchrist, maybe it was just that good...

Tim and Rob perform this one

The gallant frigate, Amphitrite, she lay in Plymouth Sound,
Blue Peter stood at the foremast head for she was outward bound;
We were waiting there for orders to send us far from home;
Our orders came for Rio, and thence around Cape Horn.

When we arrived at Rio we prepared for heavy gales;
We set up all our rigging, boys, and bent on all new sails.
From ship to ship they checred us as we did sail along,
And wished us pleasant weather in rounding of Cape Horn.

While beating off Magellan Strait it blew exceeding hard;
Whilst shortening sail two gallant tars fell from the topsail yard.
By angry seas the ropes we threw fiom their poor hands were torn
And we were forced to leave them to the sharks that prowl around
Cape Horn.

When we got round the Horn, my boys, we had some glorious days
And very soon our killick dropped in Valparaiso Bay.
The pretty girls came down to us; I solemnly declare
They are far before the Plymouth girls with their long and curling hair.

They love a jolly sailor when he spends his money free;
They'll laugh and sing and merry, merry be, and have a jovial spree.
And when our money is all gone they won't on you impose,
They are not like the Plymouth girls that'll pawn and sell your clothes.

Farewell to Valparaiso, farewell for a while,
Likewise to all the Spanish girls all on the coast of Chile;
And if ever l live to be paid off l'll sit and sing this song:
"God bless those pretty Spanish girls we left around Cape Horn."