• Song Database
  • Albums
  • Print Collections
  • External Links
Mainsail Café / Songs / Across the Western Ocean

Across the Western Ocean

Suggest changes Random song
Lyrics
Information
Melody
Share

"This outward-bound chantey arose from the North Atlantic packet trade. Western Ocean is an English and Irish reference to the Atlantic, which lies to the west of the British Isles..."

The more modern version, Leave Her, Johnny, was reserved for the last spell at the pumps after the ship was fastened to the pier.

Direct link:

Temporarily disabled. Sorry. Please use the contact form in the sidebar.

Oh, the times are hard and the wages low,
Amelia, where you bound to?

The Rocky Mountains is my home,
Across the Western Ocean.


The land of promise there you'll see;
I'm bound across that Western sea.

I'll take my way from Liverpool
In Liverpool, that Yankee school

There's Liverpool Pat in a tarpaulin hat,
And Yankee Jack, the packet rat.

Beware these packet ships, I say,
They steal your stores and clothes away.

We are going away from friends and home,
We are going away to search for gold.

Fathers and mothers, say good-by,
Sisters and brothers, don't you cry.

Metadata

DT Index: 128
Ceremonial, Heaving shanty, Capstan shanty
Packet Trade

Selected recordings:

Victory Sings At Sea Various artists
Across the Western Ocean Pressgang Mutiny

Explore similar songs

  • Black Ball Line Hauling shanty
  • Blow, Boys, Blow Halyard shanty
  • All Bound To Go Windlass shanty
  • Blow the Man Down Halyard shanty
  • Yellow Meal Forecastle song
Mainsail Café, 2025 Contact