#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
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From: Gord Broom
THE BALLAD OF THE YARMOUTH CASTLE
Gordon Lightfoot (C) 1969
Transcribed by Gord Broom , 1994. (Version 1.0)
NOTES:
This song appeared originally on the "Sunday Concert" live album.
Capo at the second fret and fingerpick. At the end of the first and
third lines of each verse, use a G/Gsus4/G riff. At the end of the
second and fourth lines, use an Am/Asus4/Am/Asus2/Am riff. I've
transcribed it from the "Original Lightfoot" boxed set. Thanks to
Matthew Fifer for sending me the lyrics
off the "Sunday Concert Plus" CD which corrected a couple of my "hear-os."
CHORDS:
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Asus2 (x02200@1)Asus4 (x02230@1)Gsus4 (3x0013@1)xo231o x32o1o 32ooo4 xo23oo xo234o 32oo14
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||||o| ||||o| |||||| |||||| |||||| ||||o|
||oo|| ||o||| |o|||| ||oo|| ||oo|| |o||||
|||||| |o|||| o||||o |||||| ||||o| o||||o
SONG:
[Capo 2nd Fret]
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Well it's 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the anchors have been weighed,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)From Miami to Nassau, she's bound across the waves.
C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)She's a-headin' south through Biscayne Bay, into the open sea,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)The Yarmouth Castle's, she's a-dying and don't know it!
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)There were many years she's been to sea, she's seen the better times,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)She gives a groan of protest as they cast away her lines.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)And the grumble of her engines and the rust along her spine,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Tells the Castle she's too old to be sailing.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)But the sands run out within her heart, a tiny spark glows red,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Smoulders through the evening as laughter overhead,
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1)Now when dinner's served and the cards are dealt, & the
G (320003@1) drinks are passed around,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Deep within, the fire starts a-burning.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Now it's midnight on the open sea, the moon is shining bright,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Some people join the party and others say goodnight.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)There's many who are sleeping now, it's been a busy day,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)And the tiny whisp of smoke is a-risin'.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)"Oh lord," she groans, "I'm burnin', let someone understand!"
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)But her silent plea is wasted in the playin' of the band!
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Everybody's dancin' on the deck and they're a-havin' such a time,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)And a voice says, "Shut up and deal, I'm losin'"
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Deep within the Yarmouth Castle the fire begins to glow,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)It leaps into the hallways and climbs and twists and grows!
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)And the paint she wore to keep her young, oh Lord, how well it burns!
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)And soon that ol' fire is ragin'.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Now beneath the bridge it's climbing fast, the captain stands alone
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)He calls up to the bos'un, says, "Bos'un, we are lost!"
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)For the ragged hoses in the racks, no pressure do they hold,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)The people down below will soon be dyin'.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)All amidship's, oh she's a-blazin' now, it's spreadin' fore and aft!
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)The people are a-scramblin' as the fire blocks the path.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)The evil smoke surrounds them and they're fallin' in their tracks,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)And the captain in his lifeboat is a-leavin'.
BREAK: Am / (B) / C/ G / Am / G / Am
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Oh then the ship Banana Star, comes steamin' through the night,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)She sees the Castle blazin' and 'tis a terrible sight.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)"Jump down, jump down," the captain cries, "we'll save you if we can!"
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)And the paint on his funnels is a-fryin'.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)God help the ones who sleep below and cannot find the way,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Thank God for those we rescued upon this awful day!
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Now the heroes they are many but the times are goin' slim,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)And now from stern to bow she's a-blazin'.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Oh the Yarmouth Castle's moanin', she's cryin' like a child,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)You can hear her if you listen above the roar so wild.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Is she cryin' for the ones who lie within her molten sides,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Or cryin' for herself I'm a-wonderin'?
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)But the living soon were rescued, the ones who lived to tell,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)From the Star they a-watched her as she died there in the swells.
Am (x02210@1) C (x32010@1) G (320003@1)Like a toy ship on a mill pond she burned all through the night,
Am (x02210@1) G (320003@1) Am (x02210@1)Then slipped beneath the waves in the mornin'.
