Bound Down to Newfoundland

Saint Patrick's day in 'sixty-five, From New York we set sail. Kind Providence did favor us With a sweet and pleasant gale. We bore away from America As you will understand; With courage brave we rode the waves Bound down to Newfoundland. Stafford Nelson was our captain's name, Scare sixteen years of age, As good and brave a seaman As ever crossed the waves. The Abeline our brig was called, Belonging to Maitland; With flowing sheets we sailed away Bound down to Newfoundland. When two days out, to our distress, Our captain he fell sick And shortly was unable To show himself on deck. The fever raged, which made us fear That death was near at hand. From Halifax we bore away, Bound down to Newfoundland. The land we made but knew it not, For strangers were we all, Our captain not being able To come to deck at all; So then we were obliged again To haul her off from land. With saddened hearts we put to sea Bound down to Newfoundland. So all that night we ran our brig Till early the next day, Our captain getting worse, we all With one accord did say: "We'll square away for Cape Canso, My boys, now bear a hand!" We spread our canvas to the wind Bound down to Newfoundland.

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At two o'clock that afternoon, As you shall understand, She anchored safe in Arichat, Bound down to Newfoundland, And to the Board of Health that day For medical aid did go, Our captain near the point of death That symptoms now did show. And eight days after we arrived, At God's just command He breathed his last in Arichat, Bound down to Newfoundland. Both day and night may we lament For our departed friend, And pray to be protected From what has been his end. Be with us and protect us, God, By Thin almighty hand, And guard us safe while on the seas, Bound down to Newfoundland.