Bristol Star

Bristol Star Written By: Sydney Phipps Hoist the colors, lads, and lend an ear! “Bristol Star” be a hard sailing sea shanty forged in the language and spirit of the 1600s seaman. This old style maritime song tells of a ship caught in a black and wicked gale, with canvas splitting, seas mounting like cliffs, and a crew fighting to keep their vessel afloat. From the North Banks to the open sea, the Bristol Star meets a storm fit to send a sailor straight to his Maker. The bosun roars orders, the helmsman fights the wheel, and every hand aboard must haul, lash, batten, and pray. This be a tale of rough seas, loyal shipmates, thunderous weather, and the stubborn courage of sailors who refuse to surrender their ship. If ye be fond of traditional sea shanties, 1600s sailing songs, pirate songs, maritime folk music, tall ship songs, old sailor ballads, and songs of life upon the high seas, then “Bristol Star” belongs in yer sailor’s songbook. Raise yer mug, haul the line, and sing hearty for the Bristol Star! LYRICS Bristol Star Written By: Sydney Phipps Verse 1 We cleared the North Banks with canvas tight, A fair east breeze and stars in sight, But come the dusk, the weather glass did fall, Black it broke upon us, a squall to end them all. The bosun roared, “Make fast that sail!” The mains’l split in that devil’s gale. The lee rail dipped, the scuppers flowed, Upon the mountainous seas we rode. Chorus Sing loud for the Star, the Bristol Star, She’ll weather any storm, wherever we are. A crew so bold and sails so wide, We’ll ride our Star o'er churning tide. Ha! Roll, boys, roll on the Bristol Star, Roll through thunder near and far! Haul that line and swing that spar, For the pride of all is our shining Bristol Star! Verse 2 The helmsman cursed, his knuckles white, As the breakers rolled from left and right. The lubber’s line was lost to sight, And all hands prayed through death’s own night. We battened hatches, stowed the slack, Lash yourself to the mast or haul on the tack. The galley stove flew end to end, But still the seas would not relent. Chorus Sing loud for the Star, the Bristol Star, She’ll weather any storm, wherever we are. A crew so bold and sails so wide, We’ll ride our Star o'er churning tide. Ha! Roll, boys, roll on the Bristol Star, Roll through thunder near and far! Haul that line and swing that spar, For the pride of all is our shining Bristol Star! Verse 3 The cook went o’er with a cry and curse, The capstan broke, a fate still worse. No leeway left, no stars to steer, Just howlin’ wind and thrum of fear. But come the dawn, the clouds did break, A ghostly calm upon the wake. With sail in shreds and dead to mourn, We all gave thanks that we'd braved the storm. Chorus ×2 Sing loud for the Star, the Bristol Star, She’ll weather any storm, wherever we are. A crew so bold and sails so wide, We’ll ride our Star o'er churning tide. Ha! Roll, boys, roll on the Bristol Star, Roll through thunder near and far! Haul that line and swing that spar, For the pride of all is our shining Bristol Star! Welcome aboard The Drunken Sailor's Songbook, where ye’ll find sea shanties, sailor songs, pirate ballads, drinking songs, maritime folk tunes, and tales of the old sailing days. Keep a weather eye to the horizon, keep yer powder dry, and never trust a calm sea too long. #BristolStar #SeaShanty #SeaShanties #SailorSong #MaritimeMusic #PirateSong #SailingSong #SeaSong #NauticalMusic #SailorsSong #TallShip #OldSailorSongs #MaritimeFolk #TheDrunkenSailorsSongbook #SydneyPhipps