Back to List of Songs

TIME ASHORE IS OVER Concertina: Ricky Rackin

I learned this song from San Francsico Bay Area singer Dick Holdstock. When I contacted author Bill Meek (via John Conolly) to get his permission to record he sent me a lyric sheet that was a bit different from what I had learned. I had glanced at it and thought that I had the correct lyrics probably based on looking at the first two verses but Bill often re-visits his songs and re-writes words and phrases. John Conolly tells me that what I am singing on my album is very close to how Bill originally wrote the lyrics. Here are the lyrics Bill Meek sent to me followed by what I am singing:

I'm standing on the dockside wall
Chorus: Sailing on the evening tide
Waiting for the skipper's call
Chorus: Time ashore, bright hours ashore
Chorus: Time ashore is over

And Sally's watching as I go
Tear-filled eyes, two kids in tow

But what of her when I'm Iceland bound?
Will she be true or gad around?

For I can't recall when she was mine
For more than three days at a time

I'll think of her when the nets go out
Me heart is sure but me head's in doubt

For when you're trapped on the northern sea
It's a thousand miles of uncertainty

Better men that I have lost their all
Through following this cursed trawl

LYRICS:

TIME ASHORE IS OVER
As sung by R. Adrianowicz

I am standing on the dockyard wall
Chorus: Sailing on the evening tide
Waiting for the skipper's call
Chorus: Time ashore, bright hours ashore
Chorus: Time ashore is over

Sally watching as I go Tear filled eyes, two kids in tow And what of her when we're outward bound Will she be true or gad around I can't recall when she was mine For more than two days at a time When you're out on the northern sea It's a thousand miles of uncertainty I think of her when the nets go out My heart is sure but my head's in doubt

Life or love I could lose it all
For following this cursed trawl

Here are Bill Meek's notes from his lyric sheet:

I wrote this "shanty" for the Fishing Heritage Centre production Here's to the Grimsby Lads. Once at sea, fishermen were a world away from wives and families, and just like those back home, they too had their worries.