Sam's Gone Away, undated

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Sam's Gone Away

I wish I was a cabin boy, aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was a cabin boy, aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

I wish I was the Bosun aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was the Bosun aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

I wish I was the Midshipman aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was the Midshipman aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

I wish I was the Captain, aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was the Captain, aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

I wish I was the Admiral aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was the Admiral aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

I wish I was a sailor lass aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was a sailor lass aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

I wish I was aboard a man, aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
I wish I was aboard a man, aboard a Man O’War
Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.
          Pretty work, brave boys, Pretty work, I say
          Sam’s gone away, aboard a Man O’War.

Document Details

Summary:

"Sam's Gone Away" is a British naval ballad most likely written and sung in the 18th century. The ballad is a simple one with very similar lyrics throughout the piece. The song talks about a British sailor wishing he was on a Man O'War like another sailor named Sam.

Keywords:
Naval Songs
Naval Traditions
Sailor Life
Themes:
Maritime Culture
Maritime Society
Object Type:
Songs
Language:
English
Series:
Page Number:

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