Digital Tradition Mirror

The Holy Ground

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Holy Ground

Fare thee well, my lovely Dinah, a thousand times adieu.
We are bound away from the Holy Ground and the girls we love so true.
We'll sail the salt seas over and we'll return once more,
       And still I live in hope to see the Holy Ground once more.
(Shouted) Fine girl you are!
(Sung) You're the girl that I adore,
       And still I live in hope to see the Holy Ground once more.

Now when we're out a-sailing and you are far behind
Fine letters will I write to you with the secrets of my mind,
The secrets of my mind, my girl, you're the girl that I adore,
       And still I live in hope to see the Holy Ground once more.

Oh now the storm is raging and we are far from shore;
The poor old ship she's sinking fast and the riggings they are tore.
The night is dark and dreary, we can scarcely see the moon,
       But still I live in hope to see the Holy Ground once more.
It's now the storm is over and we are safe on shore
We'll drink a toast to the Holy Ground and the girls that we adore.
We'll drink strong ale and porter and we'll make the taproom roar,
       And when our money is all spent we'll go to sea once more.


Note: Irish variation of Swansea Town
From Oxford Book of Sea Songs, Palmer
Recorded by Clancys
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!