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John Jack / Redesdale

from Laugh While You May by Gráinneog

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about

JOHN JACK/REDESDALE (Hornpipe Macabre)
Rudy Sunde/Trad.
Main Vocal, Sam

Another song of the coastal trading ships that kept New Zealand supplied through the 19th Century. This one has a cold and wintery feel to it and ends tragically as the 'Eliza Simms' and her crew vanish into the vast ocean, leaving no trace. We always play it out with the traditional hornpipe 'Redesdale' to give a 'sad but jaunty' feel to the song.

Rudy Sunde was as good a writer of New Zealand folk songs as there's ever been. He and Stefan Clist struck up a friendship before Rudy passed away and his songs have been a huge inspiration to us. We have made every possible attempt to trace his estate in order that royalties can be paid on both the songs of his that we've used on this album, but without success. Even the folks at APRA couldn't help, though they told us that we're not the first people to ask. If anyone knows of Rudy's next of kin then we'd urge them to contact APRA in order that we can sort out the details.

lyrics

John Jack, John Jack, tell me where you're sailing.
Wild West Coast, Wild West Coast, Greymouth Town me darlin'.
Greymouth Town me darlin'.
John Jack, John Jack, tell me what's your cargo.
Flour and beer and tea and such, minor stores me darlin'
minor stores me darlin'

John Jack, John Jack, when are you departing?
19th June, 19th June, a Winter's trip me darlin'
Winter's trip me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, the ship is heavy laden,
Cargo hold's all battened down, there's no more room me darlin'
no more room me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, the shortest day she's close now.
Short along, we're outward bound, outward bound me darlin'
outward bound me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, the sea is getting gloomy
Roaring Forties mighty strong, it's too strong me darlin'
too strong me darlin'
John Jack, John Jack, where are you my darlin'?
Eliza Simms is lost at sea, it's fare thee well me darlin'
fare thee well me darlin'

credits

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

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Gráinneog Auckland, New Zealand

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