Run Come See Jerusalem
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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Run come see, I remember that day very well, run come see,
It was in nineteen hundred and twenty nine
Run come see, Jerusalem.
That day they were talkin′
'Bout a storm in the islands,
They were talkin′ 'bout a storm in the islands
That day there were three ships a leavin' out the harbor
That day there were three ships a leavin′ out the harbor
The Ethel, the Myrtle and the Pretoria.
These ships were bound for a neighbouring island
These ships were bound for a neighbouring island
With the mothers and children on board.
Now the Pretoria was out on the ocean, 2x
Rocking from side to side
My God, when the first wave hit the Pretoria, 2x
The mothers come hauling to their children
My God, there were thirty-three souls on the water, 2x
Oh my God there were women praying to the good Lord
My God, now George Brown he was the captain
He shouted come my children come pray
He said, "Come now, witness your judgment day."
The lyrics to Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger's song "Run Come See Jerusalem" describe a harrowing day in 1929 when three ships, the Ethel, the Myrtle, and the Pretoria, were leaving the harbor bound for a nearby island with mothers and children on board. As they were going out to sea, they encountered a storm in the islands and the Pretoria was hit hard by the ocean waves, causing chaos and panic to ensue. The mothers on board, fearful for their children's lives, prayed to the good Lord, while the captain of the ship, George Brown, tried to calm everyone down and prepare them for what he thought might be their last moments together.
The song highlights the fear and uncertainty that people face in the face of the unknown, as they try to make sense of a situation that is out of their control. The storm is a metaphor for the unexpected challenges and obstacles that we all face in life, and the mothers on the ships represent our universal desire to protect and care for our loved ones. The captain's call to pray and witness our judgement day suggests that even in the face of uncertainty, we can find strength and solace in our faith.
Line by Line Meaning
It was in nineteen hundred and twenty nine
I remember the year it happened, in 1929
Run come see, I remember that day very well, run come see
I'm telling you to come and listen to my story about that day
Run come see, Jerusalem.
Come and hear about what happened in Jerusalem
That day they were talkin′
People were discussing
'Bout a storm in the islands,
About a storm in the nearby islands
They were talkin′ 'bout a storm in the islands
The topic of conversation was the storm in the islands
My God what a beautiful morning.
Despite the storm, it was a beautiful morning
That day there were three ships a leavin' out the harbor
Three ships were leaving the harbor on that day
The Ethel, the Myrtle and the Pretoria.
These three ships were named the Ethel, the Myrtle, and the Pretoria
These ships were bound for a neighboring island
The ships were headed to a nearby island
With the mothers and children on board.
Mothers and children were on board those ships
Now the Pretoria was out on the ocean, 2x
The Pretoria was on the sea, rocking from side to side
My God, when the first wave hit the Pretoria, 2x
The first wave hit the Pretoria, causing chaos
The mothers come hauling to their children
Mothers were frantically trying to protect their children
My God, there were thirty-three souls on the water, 2x
33 people were in the water
Oh my God there were women praying to the good Lord
Women were praying for help
My God, now George Brown he was the captain
The captain was George Brown
He shouted come my children come pray
He called for everyone to come and pray
He said, "Come now, witness your judgment day."
He urged everyone to prepare for a possible end to their lives
Writer(s): Blind Blake
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.