Three score and ten
Me thinks I see a host of craft,
spreading their sails a-lee
As down the Humber they do glide,
all bound for the Northern Sea.
Methinks I see on each small craft,
a crew with hearts so brave
Going out to earn their daily bread
Upon the restless waves.
Chorus:
And it’s three score and ten
boys and men were lost from Grimsby town.
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough
many hundreds more were drowned.
Our herring craft, our trawlers,
our fishing smacks as well,
They long did fight that bitter night
And battled with the swell.
Me thinks I see them yet again,
as they leave the land behind
Casting their nets into the sea,
the fishing shoals to find.
Me thinks I see them yet again
they’re all on board all right,
With their nets rolled up and their decks cleaned off
And the side-lights burning bright.
Chorus:
Me thinks I’ve heard the captain say
“Me lads we’ll shorten sail”
With the sky to all appearances
Looks like an approaching gale
Me thinks I see them yet again
Midnight hour is past
The little craft is battling there
Against the icy blast
Chorus:
October’s night left such a sight,
T’was never seen before:
There was masts and yards and broken spars,
come a washed up upon the shore.
There were many a heart in sorrow,
Many a heart so brave.
There was many a fine and hearty lad,
That met a watery grave.