I learned this Bahamian ballad many years ago, probably principally from the singing of Blake Alphonso Higgs (Blind Blake). I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the words, as I have heard, and been influenced by, quite a few versions over the years, the most recent being sent to me by a friend on a research vessel on the Labrador. The song seems to lose none of its power and poignancy with the passing of the years, and we think it is due for yet another incarnation.(GB)
It was nineteen hundred and twentynine,
Run come see, run come see,
I remember that day pretty well,
It was nineteen hundred and twentynine,
Run come see Jerusalem.
(Similarly)
They were taLking about a storm in
the islands,
My Lord, what a beautiful, morning.
There were three sail, Leaving out
the harbor,
With mommas and children on board.
It was the Ethel and the Myrtle and
Praetoria,
They were out on the perilous ocean.
Now the Ethel was bound for Fresh
Creek,
With mommas and chiLdren on board.
And the Myrtle was bound for Staniel
Cay,
She was out on the perilous ocean.
And Praetoria was out on the ocean,
Knocking down on her beam in the sea.
My God, and a big sea build up in
the Northwest,
And the mommas come grabbing for
their children.
My God, and the first sea hit the
Praetoria,
And the children come grabbing for
their mommas.
My God, and the sailor go downward
for the bottom,
And the captain come grabbing for
the tiller.
Now George Brown, he was the captain;
He shouts, "My children, come pray."
He says, "Come now, witness your
judgement,"
And the women all crying for the
Daniel-God.
There was thirty-three soul, on the
water,
My Lord, what a beautiful morning.