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.

Empire Star

from Laugh While You May by Gráinneog

/

  • Streaming + Download

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

      $1 NZD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

EMPIRE STAR
Trad.
Main Vocal, Sam

A total of three refrigerated ships bore the name Empire Star and were built for the Blue Star Line shipping company between 1919 and 1946. Their purpose was to haul large cargoes of frozen meat from Australia and New Zealand to the dinner tables of Britain.
The most illustrious of the three was Empire Star number 2, built in 1935. During the Second World War she took part in the evacuation of Singapore in February 1942. The account of the heroism of the crew and other military and nursing personnel upon that occasion are probably worthy of a song in their own right.
Sadly, in October of that same year the ship was torpedoed by a German U Boat in the North Atlantic and sank with the loss of fourteen passengers and crew.
We confess that we have absolutely no idea which of the three Empire Stars inspired this ribald and jaunty song. Perhaps it got sung on the mess decks of all three?

lyrics

Well as I went a cruising down by KGV,
a rusty old tramp ship I happened to see.
The Empire Star was the old steamer's name.
She was bound out for Kiwi and back home again.
Ch.
Heave away. Heave away!
Frome the lighthouse to the shitehouse
is a bloody long way.

Well the cook he was trying to poison the crew.
We don't know what this is but he calls it a stew.
It's the funniest old mixture that we've ever seen.
It reminds us distintly of carbolisene

Well of shit on the poop deck there is not a trace.
And the Old Man walks round with a big smile on his face.
But he'll have a blue fit once he sees all the shit,
that's hiding behind every lynch pin and bit

Well the chief engineer sat there sipping a beer.
When he was struck in the eye by some shit off the gear.
Now you'll see him down Queen Street
with ahole in his eye.
He was blinded by bullshit
on the old Blue Star Line.

Well our Bosun you know him for he wears a peaked cap.
He sends us to smoko and says 'Hurry back.'
But when we got to Auckland we all got the sack.
For we fucked off to smoko
and never came back.

credits

from Laugh While You May, released June 19, 2021
Sammy Leary - Vocals, Banjo, Musical Saw
Helen Cobbett - Backing Vocals, Bodrahn
Alan Knight - Backing Vocals, Guitar
Ben Cobbett - Fiddle
Andy Spence - Backing Vocals

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Gráinneog image

Gráinneog Auckland, New Zealand

contact / help

Contact Gráinneog

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Gráinneog, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now