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The Whaling Trade

from Role Call by Jan and Paul Ramsey

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about

The song highlights the various trades that were associated with the whaling industry. Whitby in the county of Yorkshire, was the most important whaling town on the east coast of England. Many were killed in the dangerous and extreme wild waters and weather conditions. Captain Scoresby of Whitby, named in the song, was the European Champion Whaler. In 30 trips he caught 533 whales .

lyrics

My name is captain Scoresby
Champion whaler from Greenland to Spain
Born and bred in Whitby
Now the icey sea’s where I spend all my days
Coming home
For eighty years now Whitby has whaled

Ropemakers, sailmakers, carpenters, coopers
Knitters and chandlers butchers and baker
Blacksmiths and storekeepers, joiners and wrights
Working for whaling all day and all night

Henrietta set sail in the winter seas
Battling with waves of one hundred feet
Frostbite, scurvy and drownings
To be crushed in the ice was always a fear
Coming home
For eighty years now Whitby has whaled

Shriek of the harpoon gun blaring
Blubber cut like wads of pound notes
Back once more on shore
Walking as heroes all through the town
Coming home
For eighty years now Whitby has whaled

Oil for lamps, paint, soap and glue
Bones for corsets , leather for shoes, killing twenty thousand seals
Harpooning more than three thousand whales
Coming home
For eighty years now Whitby has whaled

credits

from Role Call, released January 11, 2023
Ramsey

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about

Jan and Paul Ramsey image

Jan and Paul Ramsey Grimsby, UK

Jan and Paul first began singing together when they were students. Jan plays guitar and sings lead vocals, and Paul plays single reed harmonica and vocals. They are renowned for their close harmonies. Over the years they have performed extensively in the UK and overseas. They have held various residencies in UK folk clubs and are currently residents at Grimsby Folk Club. ... more

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