LN876 21/08/15
The Ballad of LN 876
Auld Nellie lies over the ocean
Auld Nellie lies over the sea
Auld Nellie lies over the ocean
O bring back Auld Nellie to me.
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back Auld Nellie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back Auld Nellie to me!
Oh Edinburgh, Festival City
When last did you bask in the sun?
To make our tall ship look so pretty
We’re sure going to have lots of fun.
Bring back . . .
The first day we did lots of training
We learned how to get out damn quick;
Were kitted with gear and with wellies
And harnesses – yes, that’s the trick!
Bring back . . .
The evening was fine, and we motored
Along through the lock out to sea
And then hands aloft in the gloaming
And out on the yard arm – yippee!
Bring back . . .
The end of Day 1 saw us anchored
A wondrous red sunset in view;
Arthur’s seat and the Pentlands to starboard,
To port the Forth, coast of Fife too.
Bring back . . .
Day 2 we were up bright and early
Weighed anchor and practised our drill
Learned bracing, and sweating and tailing
Had smoko to keep out the chill.
Bring back . . .
And then with wind aft we went sailing
With all the square sails except one.
The Bass Rock we left well to starboard
And only the rain spoiled our fun.
Bring back . . .
I really felt rotten this morning
They tell me I really looked pale
My stomach gave adequate warning
To lean far out over the rail.
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back my bucket to me, to me
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back my bucket to me!
My breakfast lies over the ocean
My dinner lies over the sea
My stomach is in a commotion
O bring back my bucket to me!
Bring back, bring back
O bring back my bucket to me, to me!
Bring back, bring back
O bring back my bucket to me!
Even so we made very good progress
Our goal for the night Holy Isle
We made it and anchored alongside
Visibility only a mile.
Bring back . . .
The next day dawned dry, warm and sunny
Holy Isle and its castle in view
Scrubbed decks, and then cake for Ann’s birthday
Weighed anchor, then southwards anew.
Bring back . . .
The south wind was now in our faces
There was no point in setting the sail
We motored along the coast southwards
And Blyth was our port, without fail.
Bring back . . .
A comfortable night at our mooring
With some of us out on the town
Then photographs down on the quayside
With never so much as a frown.
Bring back . . .
Then wheelies aloft was the summons
Our Nigel pulled up on his own
Then out of the harbour we motored
With cormorants egging us on.
Bring back . . .
The sun shone, we set jib and spanker
And then the square sails in their turn
We’re now on our way south to Whitby
And we still have masses to learn!
Bring back . . .
