How I regret that awful day,
I left me wife and sailed away
Now I today my life will lose
Around me neck they’ll put a noose
But when I’m swinging from that rope
I won’t cry although I choke.
Oh no I’ll smile ‘cause finally
I will be free, I will be free!
Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
‘cause life at sea is not fer me!
Rather than in the navy spend me life,
I wished fer it to end.
But a catholic can’t afford
To take his life ‘n smite the Lord
So I did bad, I misbehaved,
In hope the crown would let me pay.
Would they sentence me to die,
me soul in hell it wouldn’t fry.
Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
‘cause life at sea is not fer me!
So I invoked the Krakens curse
And I stole the watchman’s purse,
kicked the first mate in the nuts
and then confessed, I spilled me guts.
They locked me up in hope I’d crack,
had the cat dance on me back.
N’ they hauled me ‘round the keel,
but me life they wouldn’t steal.
Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
‘cause life at sea is not fer me!
So then I stabbed our captain dead
I thought fer sure they’d have me head.
But I just spurred a mutiny
They fer me help promoted me.
So as new watchman that same night,
Seal our fate I thought I might,
As a corsair fleet approached from west,
I didn’t warn the rest.
Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
‘cause life at sea is not fer me!
And they were quiet as small mice
As they took us by surprise.
Sixty three Brits where killed right there,
But me they chose to spare.
They said – “Your Irish, so are we.
We’ll save yer life, we’ll set you free.
Just denounce them Brits and join our crew”
God save king Charles and go fuck you!
Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
‘cause life at sea is not fer me!
How I regret that awful day,
I enrolled and sailed away,
No I today me life will lose,
Around me neck they’ve put a noose.
From where I’m swinging, down below
I see the deck and ‘ere I go!
Oh what a joy, Oh finally
I will be free, I will be free!
Set me free.
Set me free.
O Lord please end this misery,
‘cause life at sea is not fer me!
supported by 23 fans who also own “Dead Man's Song”
Best sea shanty album of all time bar none. I remember when I first heard it; became my favorite album of all time. I was astounded cause... I liked every song! Martin Flaherty
supported by 19 fans who also own “Dead Man's Song”
This might be my favourite of Heilung. They've improved a bit on their later releases but their debut is still much meaner, and darker. Maria's amazing voice obviously steals the show but I also quite like Kai's too, especially on the live performance. In fact I'd say get LIFA over this IMO.
The spoken word bits are really cool to hear proto-germanic in use but for relistening purposes they are going to be a bit obtrusive. Nevertheless the proper music here is on continual repeat for me. Rabbit
Beautifully played and full of moving vocal performances, the Bay Area singer/songwriter's latest is a stellar work of art. Bandcamp Album of the Day Feb 3, 2023
supported by 17 fans who also own “Dead Man's Song”
i like this version better than the original. The middle part has that aggression that makes the excellent balance with the beginning and ending of the song. owlobo