We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The King's Shilling

from The Sea Cabinet by Gwyneth Herbert

supported by
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

lyrics

Hey sailor lad come see my ship, I’ve seen the power of your grip
Heave ho leave, come away /
Oh Johnny, I don’t trust this man, I smell a mischief in his plan
I’m sure I saw him fighting yesterday

Hey sailor lad if you’ve a thirst, I’ll fill you ’til your liver’s burst
Heave ho leave, come away /
Oh Johnny, don’t you touch a drop, you know you don’t know when to stop
And when you’re drunk, you’re liable to sway

Oh the King’s Shilling
Take it / Don’t take it in your hand
Oh the King’s Shilling
Behold it / But hold it
And be damned

Hey sailor lad, come board the deck, or I will wring your wretched neck
Heave ho leave, come away /
Oh Johnny, do not show your fear and stand your ground we need you here
What will become of us if you don’t stay?

Hey sailor lad, if you resist, you’ll feel the fury of my fist
Heave ho leave, come away /
Oh Johnny, please don’t heed this knave, I see a vision of your grave
Use every ounce of strength to disobey

Oh the King’s Shilling
Take it / Don’t take it in your hand
Oh the King’s Shilling
Behold it / But hold it
And be damned

Every day more fodder for the cannon
Every day more sailors to the brine
The shackled and unwilling
Pay their debt to the King’s shilling
And every day more women left behind

Hey sailor lad, get you to boat, I hold a dagger to your throat
Heave ho, leave, come away /
Oh villain, is your heart a stone? We’ve seven children not yet grown
Have pity on our family, I pray

You whining wench, go sling your hook, you’ve floors to scrub and pies to cook
Heave ho, leave, go away /
Oh villain, since you paid no mind, I’ll come and stab you from behind
My kitchen knife is now your judgement day!

Oh the King’s Shilling
Take it / Don’t take it in your hand
Oh the King’s Shilling
Behold it / But hold it
And be damned

credits

from The Sea Cabinet, released May 20, 2013

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Gwyneth Herbert Saint Leonards, UK

Singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist & musical adventurer Gwyneth Herbert has released 6 albums and toured across the world, sharing stages with the likes of Boy George, Amy Winehouse and John Cooper Clarke.

She has also presented for BBC Radio 3 and 4; co-created three musicals and a feature-length art film; and had her arrangement of a Swahili folk-song performed by 100,000 children at once.
... more

contact / help

Contact Gwyneth Herbert

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Gwyneth Herbert, you may also like: