The Manchester Canal (SS Irwell) Recorded by Harry Boardman O the S.S. Irwell left this port the stormy seas to cross They heaved the lead and went ahead on a voyage to Barton Moss No fair ship e'er left the slip from this port to Natal Than the boats that plough the waters of the Manchester Canal The third day out or thereabout a great storm swept the main The captain called his officer, I just forgot his name "You see that light there on the right? Aye, aye" he did exclaim "Well it's the Wilson's Brewery lightship at the end of Ancoats Lane" The captain's brow was darkened for he saw a storm was brewing And the engineer reported that the horse it wanted shoeing "Is there a chart aboard this barque?" He asked of one or two The captain he was ashy pale and so was all the crew "By gum, we've lost our reckoning, whatever shall we do We must be near to Bailey Bridge on the banks of Pin Mill Brow" Then all became confusion as the stormy winds did roar And the captain wished himself and crew were safe again on shore "Let go the anchor boy" he cried "for I am soerly puzzled The mate is drunk and in his bunk, see that the cook is muzzled We're short of grub in this 'ere tub and we are far from land There's not a oat in this 'ere boat and the engine's broken down" "Close reef the sails" the bosun cried "we're in a great dilemma Just row her to Pomona Bay she cannot stand the weather She's sprung a leak now all is lost let each man do his best For soon she'll be a total wreck on the shoals of Throstle's Nest" But soon the storm abated it, was rather overrated When the captain, crew and officers were quickly congregated They searched the chart in every part, to find their situation They were east, nor'east of Bailey Bridge, just south of Salford Station. This is apparently a version of 'The Cruise of the Calabar' from a broadside unearthed by Paul Graney of Manchester. It comes from 'Folks Songs and Ballads of Lancashire' compiled and edited by Harry and Lesley Boardman. Harry sang the song to the tune of 'The Girl I Left Behind Me'. The geographical references in the song indicate that it may well be about the Rochdale Canal which enters the city of Manchester via Ancoats. The locations seem to have been plucked randomly from the area and do not refer to any particular route of travel. Recorded on :
Trans Pennine - Harry Boardman, Dave Hillery Topic Records TSDL 215 (1971) Sleeve Notes :
The Manchester Canal (SS Irwell) Recorded by Harry Boardman O the S.S. Irwell left this port the stormy seas to cross They heaved the lead and went ahead on a voyage to Barton Moss No fair ship e'er left the slip from this port to Natal Than the boats that plough the waters of the Manchester Canal The third day out or thereabout a great storm swept the main The captain called his officer, I just forgot his name "You see that light there on the right? Aye, aye" he did exclaim "Well it's the Wilson's Brewery lightship at the end of Ancoats Lane" The captain's brow was darkened for he saw a storm was brewing And the engineer reported that the horse it wanted shoeing "Is there a chart aboard this barque?" He asked of one or two The captain he was ashy pale and so was all the crew "By gum, we've lost our reckoning, whatever shall we do We must be near to Bailey Bridge on the banks of Pin Mill Brow" Then all became confusion as the stormy winds did roar And the captain wished himself and crew were safe again on shore "Let go the anchor boy" he cried "for I am soerly puzzled The mate is drunk and in his bunk, see that the cook is muzzled We're short of grub in this 'ere tub and we are far from land There's not a oat in this 'ere boat and the engine's broken down" "Close reef the sails" the bosun cried "we're in a great dilemma Just row her to Pomona Bay she cannot stand the weather She's sprung a leak now all is lost let each man do his best For soon she'll be a total wreck on the shoals of Throstle's Nest" But soon the storm abated it, was rather overrated When the captain, crew and officers were quickly congregated They searched the chart in every part, to find their situation They were east, nor'east of Bailey Bridge, just south of Salford Station. This is apparently a version of 'The Cruise of the Calabar' from a broadside unearthed by Paul Graney of Manchester. It comes from 'Folks Songs and Ballads of Lancashire' compiled and edited by Harry and Lesley Boardman. Harry sang the song to the tune of 'The Girl I Left Behind Me'. The geographical references in the song indicate that it may well be about the Rochdale Canal which enters the city of Manchester via Ancoats. The locations seem to have been plucked randomly from the area and do not refer to any particular route of travel. Recorded on :
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