John A. Gilks - City of Baltimore



 Lyrics as transcribed from this recording:...for to stray,On board of a western ocean boat he stowed himself awayWhen McCarty came from his hiding place,the mate to him did say What brought you here McCarty, why did you stow away?  Onboard of the western ocean boat, you'll wish yourself on shore,for you'll rue the day you stowed away on the City of Baltimore. It s early in the morning the men would all turn to,it s early every morning the mate he put them through, Where is that Irish stowaway? the mate to them say, I m here says Jack McCarty  What do you want of me?  It s true I am an Irishman and that I ll not deny,<BR>but before I ll be cut down by you, I ll fight until I die,<BR>if you re a man of courage its me you ll stand before<BR>and I ll fight you square upon the deck on the City of Baltimore. <BR><BR>The mate he being a cowardly man and before Jack would not stand,<BR>but with an iron mallet at Jack McCarty ran<BR>oh Jack had being a smart young man<BR>as he ofttimes done before and he knocked him senseless on the deck on the City of Baltimore.<BR><BR>The steward and the boatsman came to the mate s relief,<BR>and with an iron capsule bar Jack made them both retreat,<BR>Jack s Irish blood it then did boil and like a lion did roar,<BR>as the blood come trickling down the deck on the City of Baltimore.<BR><BR>Our captain was a Scotsman McDonald was his name,<BR>and when he saw what McCarty did, straight to McCarty came,<BR> McCarty you re a smart young man and of great courage for,<BR>your the very best man that walks the deck on the City of Baltimore. This song is sung a cappella. This recording starts near the end of the first stanza (the first of the song is missing). The last three words of the song, City of Baltimore,  are spoken, not sung. <BR><BR>In Manny's published version she writes (stanza 6) the steward and boatswain  whereas Gilks sings  the steward and boatsman. In the same stanza Manny writes as with an iron captan bar  whereas Gilks sings  and with an iron capsule bar. <BR><BR>1958 <BR> This song appears in Louise Manny and James Reginald Wilson eds. Songs of Miramichi  Brunswick Press Fredericton, N.B. pg. 224.

Many versions of this song exist and were found in good supply and variety on both sides of the Atlantic. The song is also known as 'Bold McCarthy'. Read here for references to more versions, Roud number (etc.), and some info on the song!

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