Something different... a traditional English folk cover

[Greeny]

This is my interpretation of a traditional english folk song called 'The Handsome Cabin Boy'. It's just 12-string acoustic, mandolin, and vocals. And the sound of the sea. I've liked this song since Kate Bush did a vocal-only version of it on a B-side a long time ago. Jerry Garcia did it too. It's just a nice little story. Hope you can make out all the words (I'm singing it in a folk style...) 

It's of a pretty female
As you may understand.
Her mind being bent for travelling
Into some foreign land,
She dressed herself in sailor's clothes,
Or so it does appear,
And she hired with a captain
To serve him for a year.

[The captain's wife she being on board,
She seemed in great joy
To think the captain had engaged
Such a handsome cabin boy,
That now and then she'd slip him a kiss,
And she would have liked to toy,
It was the captain found out the secret
Of the handsome cabin boy.

Her cheeks they were like roses
And her hair rolled in a curl.
The sailors often smiled and said
He looked just like a girl.
But eating of the captain's biscuit
Her colour did destroy,
And the waist did swell of pretty Nell,
The handsome cabin boy.

It was in the bay of Biscayne
Our gallant ship did plow.
One night among the sailors
Was a fearful flyin' row.
They tumbled from their hammocks
For their sleep it did destroy,
And they sworn about the moaning
Of the handsome cabin boy.

"Oh doctor, dear, oh doctor,"
The cabin boy did cry.
"My time has come, I am undone,
And I will surely die."
The doctor come a-runnin'
And a-smilin' at the fun.
To think a sailor lad should have
A daughter or a son.

The sailors when they saw the joke
They all did stand and stare.
The child belonged to none of them,
They solemnly did swear.
The captain's wife, she says to him,
"My dear, I wish you joy,
For 'tis either you or me's betrayed
The handsome cabin boy!"

[SE]

Excellent folk song well performed sometimes keeping things simple is the best way ahead as you,ve proved.

[tafka]

great job T.G. love the mandolin.
you never know whats gonna pop up next with this site.
nice one Tim

Tony J.

[lg]

Wow, that WAS different.
I have never heard it before.... But it sounded good.
I also liked the mandolin.

LG

[Guitar-Maniac]

Wow! sickening tone on that acoustic! Holy S**T!
did you put any effacts on it? 

Aint heard this song b4, but im pretty sure you done justice to it

[Greeny]

Wow! sickening tone on that acoustic! Holy S**T!
did you put any effacts on it? 

Aint heard this song b4, but im pretty sure you done justice to it

Thanks 

It's a Takamine 12-string electro-acoustic - straight into the BR through a lead, and the effects switched off. I often use the MIC as well, but I wanted a clear, simple tone on this one. I just wish I could play better, as it probably should have been fingerpicked rather than using a plectrum.

[Oldrottenhead]

wow!!!!!!!!! we are unworthy............

[Guitar-Maniac]

played better? that was flawless m8!
ahhh think i better brush up on playing chords, need to play
them as smooth as you

[Ferryman_1957]

Jolly good! Release your inner folkie! Great job, great fun.

I'm singing it in a folk style

Hmmm. I'm picturing you with beard, cardigan and pipe.......

Cheers,

Nigel

[Flash Harry]

Jolly good! Release your inner folkie! Great job, great fun.

I'm singing it in a folk style

Hmmm. I'm picturing you with beard, cardigan and pipe.......

Cheers,

Nigel

And open toed sandals with socks!

Nice one Tim.