Original poem
by C. Fox Smith

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MP3 Sample

Shipmates (1914)

Poem by Cicely Fox Smith, 1914,
from SONGS & CHANTIES: 1914-1916,
edited by Cicely Fox Smith, pub. by Elkin Mathews,
London, © 1919, pp. 25-26

Adapted and musically arranged by Charles Ipcar 1/18/06

Tune: inspired by the traditional
"I Know Where I'm Going"

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Good-bye and fare ye well, we'll sail no more together,
Up and down the deep seas, in fair or foul weather:
We'll sail no more together, in foul weather or fine,
And you'll go your way, and I'll go mine,
And you'll go your way, and I'll go mine.

This world is very wide, and there's never any knowing –
The countries we'll be seeing, or the ports where we'll be going;
Up and down the deep seas, back across the Line,
And you'll go your way, and I'll go mine,
And you'll go your way, and I'll go mine.

Good-bye and fare ye well – but maybe we'll be meeting,
In some foreign city, where we'll shout each other greeting;
Back from deep sea roving, back from wind and weather –
You and me from cross the seas, two shipmates together,
You and me from cross the seas, two shipmates together!

You'll blow up from Eastward, and I'll blow in from the West,
And of all the times we've ever had, it's then we'll have the best;
We'll raise a glass and sing our songs, and all things will be fine –
Then you'll go your way, and I'll go mine,
Then you'll go your way, and I'll go mine.

So good-bye and fare ye well: may naught but good attend ye,
All around the wide world, where sailor's luck may send ye;
Up and down the deep seas, back across the Line –
And you'll go your way, and I'll go mine,
And you'll go your way, and I'll go mine!

picture of two sailors - one female - changing the jib sail
image of woman on bunk with pensive look and photo of man beside her

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SHIPMATES (1914)

Poem by Cicely Fox Smith, 1914, from SONGS & CHANTIES: 1914-1916,
edited by C. Fox Smith, pub. by Elkin Mathews, London, © 1919, pp. 25-26

Good-bye and fare ye well; for we'll sail no more together,
Broad seas and narrow in fair or foul weather:
We'll sail no more together in foul weather or fine,
And ye'll go your own way, and I'll go mine.

O the seas are very wide, and there's never any knowing
The countries we'll see or the ports where we'll be going,
All across the wide world, up and down the sea,
Before we come together, as at last may be.

Good-bye and fare ye well – and maybe I'll be strolling
And watching the ships there and the crews a-coaling,
In a queer foreign city and a gay gaudy street;
And who but yourself will I chance for to meet?

You'll blow up from Eastward, and I'll blow in from the West,
And of all the times we ever had, it's then we'll have the best,
Back from deep sea wanderings, back from wind and weather,
You and me from all the seas, two friends together!

Good-bye and fare ye well: may naught but good attend ye
All across the wide world where sailor's luck may send ye,
Up and down the deep seas, north and south the Line,
And ye'll go your own way, and I'll go mine!

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