> On 07/21/2012 03:45 PM, Sandy Tyra wrote:
>> On 7/21/2012 1:05 PM, Dan Goodman wrote:
>>> On 07/21/2012 02:31 PM, Sandy Tyra wrote:
>>>> I might like it better, indeed.  Although I am unclear on the point of
>>>> this song.  She is a thief; did the sailors in some way deserve to be
>>>> robbed? Female empowerment should not come at the expense of decent men.

>>> Drat -- the other version on Mudcat makes it clearer.  The captain was
>>> going to have his way with her, then turn her over to his men.

>> Ah, then yes, I would like that version of this one.
> THE MAID ON THE SHORE

> There was a young maiden, who lived all alone
> Her beauty it did shine so clear-o
> And all she could find for to ease her sad mind
> Was to wander alone on the shore the shore
> Was to wander alone on the shore (2x)

> And there was a young captain, who plowed the salt seas
> Let the wind blow high, blow low-o
> This beautiful maiden he chanced for to spy
> "Don't I wish that I had her on board on board
> Don't I wish that I had her on board." (2x)

> The steward he ran and he lowered the boat
> And quickly he rode it to shore o
> And these were the very first words he did say:
> "Fair maid, won't you venture on board on board? (2x)

> By coaxing, persuading, she entered the boat
> And quickly he rowed her on board o
> Our captain, he smiled and spat out his chew
> Saying "Fair you well sorrow and care and care." (2x)

> The captain he poured out the richery wine
> That sparked so bright and so clear-o
> Saying "First you will lie in my arms all this night,
> And then I'll hand you to my crew my crew" (2x)

> "Oh thank you, oh thank you," this maiden replied
> "That's just what I've been waiting for-o.
> For I've grown so weary of my maidenhead
> As I wandered alone on the shore ."

> She sat herself down in the stern of the ship
> Her voice was so fair and so clear-o
> She sang them so sweet, so neat and complete
> She sang captain and sailors to sleep."

> She robbed them of silver, she robbed them of gold
> She robbed them of costly wares-o
> Our captain's broad sword, she used for an oar
> To row herself back to the shore. (2x)

> "Oh were me men crazy, or were they all drunk?
> Oh were they sunk deep in despair-o?
> To see her get away with her beauty so gay
> Don't I wish that I had her once more."

> And yonder she stands all alone on the strand
> A-waving her handkerchief, fair o
> Saying: "You are the captain that sails the salt seas
> And I'm still a maid on the shore the shore,
> And I am the maid on the shore."

> Child #43
> Laws K27
> Recorded by John Roberts and Tony Barrand on Dark Ships in the
> Forest, FSI-65. also by Frankie Armstrong on Lovely