Across The Line

Across the Line

From New Zealand comes ‘Across the Line’, an old song which I first heard sung, naturally enough, in Bradford, Yorkshire; learning it from its prime exponent, Jimmy Wild, the fairly famous international bricklayer. Also well known as The Sailors Way    Martyn

ACROSS THE LINE    Trad 

I’ve traded with the Yankees Brazilian and Chinese 

I’ve courted Maori beauties beneath them Kowri trees 

I’ve traveled along with a drink and a song 

In the land where they call you Mate 

Around the Horn and back again as that’s the sailors fate.

Across the Line the Gulf Stream I’ve been in Table Bay 

Around the Horn and back again as that’s the sailors way.

I’ve run aground on many a Sound without a pilot on board 

Long boats lowered by lantern lights pushed off and gently oared

With rollocks creaking with the roll and the swell 

In the wind that would make you hale 

Oh who would sail the Seven Seas but that’s the sailors way. 

Across the Line the Gulf Stream I’ve been in Table Bay 

Around the Horn and back again as that’s the sailors way.

I’ve traveled to the Northwards I’ve traveled to the East 

Trimmed the sails in the teeth of a gale and stood in calmer seas

I’ve steered a course by the Southern stars 

From Stewart through the Strait 

Westward bound round Milford Sound as that’s the sailors fate. 

Across the Line the Gulf Stream I’ve been in Table Bay 

Around the Horn and back again as that’s the sailors way.