Bound For The Trades

Intro
(Upbeat fiddle riff, steady boot-stomping, wooden flute melody)
​[Verse 1 - Call and Response]
(Lead Shantyman)
The captain called us at dawn’s first light,
(Crew Chorus)
Clear the bay, boys, hoist the sail!
(Lead)
We bid farewell to the town tonight,
(Crew)
And we’ll ride along on a merchant gale!
​[Chorus]
(Full Crew - Loud & Spirited with Boot Stomps)
So weigh that anchor and heave away,
Bound for the trades at the break of day!
Roll down the timber and pull the line,
We’ll drink sweet rum in the morning time!
​[Verse 2 - Call and Response]
(Lead)
The capstan turns as the iron grinds,
(Crew)
Clear the bay, boys, hoist the sail!
(Lead)
There’s salt in our lungs and a steady wind,
(Crew)
And we’ll ride along on a merchant gale!
​[Chorus]
(Full Crew)
So weigh that anchor and heave away,
Bound for the trades at the break of day!
Roll down the timber and pull the line,
We’ll drink sweet rum in the morning time!
​[Bridge - Slowing Pace, Heavy Rhythmic Stomps]
(Solo fiddle breakdown with lead vocalist)
Six long months on the rolling tide,
No cozy hearth by our sweethearts' side.
Through heavy swells and the biting spray,
We work the ropes till the light gives way!
​[Verse 3 - Call and Response - High Energy]
(Lead)
Now catch the wind as the canvas swells,
(Crew)
Clear the bay, boys, hoist the sail!
(Lead)
Ring out the watch on the ship's bronze bell,
(Crew)
And we’ll ride along on a merchant gale!
​[Chorus - Maximum Energy]
(Full Crew with Fiddle and Whistle)
So weigh that anchor and heave away,
Bound for the trades at the break of day!
Roll down the timber and pull the line,
We’ll drink sweet rum in the morning time!
​[Outro]
(Lead)
Heave, boys, heave!
(Crew - Shouting together)
HEAVE!
(Lead)
One last pull for the harbor light!
(Fiddle finishes with a quick flourish, cheers and boot stomps fade)