This an Irish set of lyrics to the tune: Old Swansea Town Once
More. The "Holy Ground" is a quarter of Cobh (once known as
Queenstown), which was inhabited mainly by fisherman. The tune is
also refered to as The Cobh Sea Shanty. It was popular on the
docks of Cork and Cobh as well as on the ships. The tune was
originally a capstan shanty. (A song sung as sailors turned the
capstan to raise the anchor.)
Lyrics
Fare thee well, my lovely Dinah,
a thousand times adieu.
We are bound away from the Holy Ground
and the girls we love so true.
We'll sail the salt seas over
and we'll return once more,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Chorus:
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Now when we're out a-sailing
and you are far behind
Fine letters will I write to you
with the secrets of my mind,
The secrets of my mind, my girl,
you're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Chorus:
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Oh now the storm is raging
and we are far from shore;
The poor old ship she's sinking fast
and the riggings they are tore.
The night is dark and dreary,
we can scarcely see the moon,
But still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Chorus:
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
It's now the storm is over
and we are safe on shore
We'll drink a toast to the Holy Ground
and the girls that we adore.
We'll drink strong ale and porter
and we'll make the taproom roar,
And when our money is all spent
we'll go to sea once more.
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