White Squall

"White Squall" by Stan Rogers performed by Canadian folksinger Jesse Ferguson. This song discusses the intense storms that can occur on the Great Lakes, which in this case caused the drowning death of a young sailor. Chords and lyrics below. Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JesseFergusonMusic Jesse on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/jesse-ferguson/309436997 Jesse on YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCMzLFahwOsdv3v3tKPd_wYA Jesse on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5heCdUhXKjzSB4IepcHbJe Jesse on Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/Shanties-Whaling-Ballads-Jesse-Ferguson/dp/B09BCCMSGV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22sea+shanties%22+ferguson&qid=1628462445&s=music&sr=1-1 Jesse's Website: http://www.jessefergusonmusic.com Jesse's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bardofcornwall White Squall (Stan Rogers [1984], arrang. J. Ferguson, Dec. 2013) Capo @ 1, 84 bpm Intro: A D A E V1. A A/C# F#m D Now, it's just my luck to have the watch, with nothing left to do C#m Bm E but watch the deadly waters glide, as we roll north to the Soo, A A/C# F#m D and wonder when they'll turn again, and pitch us to the rail C#m E A and whirl off one more youngster in the gale. V2. The kid was so damned eager: it was all so big and new. You never had to tell him twice, or find him work to do. And evenings on the mess deck, he was always first to sing and show us pictures of the girl he'd wed in spring. Chorus 1: E D C#m Well, I told that kid a hundred times, “Don't take the lakes for granted; D C#m Bm E they'll go from calm to a hundred knots, so fast they seem enchanted.” A A/C# F#m D But tonight some red-eyed Wiarton girl lies staring at the wall, C#m E A while her lover's gone into a white squall. Interlude: D A E V3. Now it's a thing that us old-timers know: in a sultry summer calm there comes a blow from nowhere, and it goes off like a bomb. And a sixteen-thousand tonner can be thrown upon her beam while the gale takes all before it with a scream. V4. The kid was on the hatches, lying staring at the sky, and from where I stood, I swear I could see tears fall from his eyes. So I hadn't the heart to tell him, that he should be on a line even on a night so warm and fine. V5. When it struck, he sat up with a start; I roared to him, “Get down!” But for all that he could hear, I might as well not made a sound. So I clung there to the stanchions, and I felt my face grow pale as he crawled hand-over-hand along the rail. V6. Well, I could feel her heeling over with the fury of the blow, and I watched the rail go under then, so terrible and slow. Then like some great dog she shook herself and roared upright again, while overside I heard him call my name. Chorus 1: V7. [subdued] So it's just my luck to have the watch, with nothing left to do but watch the deadly waters glide, as we roll north to the Soo. And wonder when they'll turn again and pitch us to the rail and whirl off one more youngster in the gale. Chorus 2: [rousing] And I tell* these kids a hundred times, “Don't take the lakes for granted; they'll go from calm to a hundred knots, so fast they seem enchanted.” But tonight some red-eyed Wiarton girl lies staring at the wall, while her lover's gone into a white squall. *pause guitar on “tell.” Resume on “take.” Outro: D A E