Born… Read Full Bio ↴Eliza Carthy (b. 1975) is an English folk singer and violinist.
Born on 23rd August 1975, she is the daughter of legendary English folk musicians singer/guitarist Martin Carthy and singer Norma Waterson. She formed The Waterdaughters with her mother, aunt (Lal Waterson), and cousin Maria Knight in 1989. She has subsequently worked with Nancy Kerr, and also with her parents as Waterson:Carthy, in addition to her own solo work.
She has twice been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for UK album of the year: in 1998 for Red Rice, and again in 2003 for Anglicana. In 2003 Carthy swept the boards at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, winning Folk Singer of the Year, Best Album (for Anglicana), and Best Traditional Track (for "Worcester City").
In 2004 she was part of Oysterband's Big Session, a collaboration with numerous folk artists. They produced an album The Big Session Volume One, and the group as a whole were awarded Best Group at the Folk Awards in 2005.
Bold Privateer
Eliza Carthy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And our ship, she's on the waves
Farewell my dearest jewel
For no longer can I stay
Our ship, she lies awaiting
So fare you well, my dear
For I must go on board
There's no-one that can tell you
What great hazards you will run
So many have been slain
Since the wars first begun
Such bloody engagements
And dangers that draw near
With loss of their sweet lives
In this bold privateer
Grieve not, my dearest jewel
When I'm out of your sweet sight
For I must go on board
And so boldly I will fight
We'll beat down the pride
Of the lofty monaseer
And soon we'll let them know
She's a bold privateer
Then since you are a-going
May heaven kinder be
May kind heaven protect you
By land or by sea
May kind heaven protect you
Wherever you may steer
And send you safe home back
From this bold privateer
The prizes we have taken
Are from France and from Spain
And my true love at home
Will have part of them the same
And when the wars are over
I'll turn unto my dear
And then I'll bid adieu
To this bold privateer
Oh, when the wars are over
I'll turn unto my dear
And then I'll bid adieu
To this bold privateer
The lyrics of the song "Bold Privateer" by Eliza Carthy narrate the story of a sailor who is leaving his loved one behind to board a privateer ship. The sailor bids farewell to his "dearest jewel" and assures her that he will fight boldly and return home safely. The sailor talks about the dangers of being on board a privateer ship- the bloody engagements and dangers that draw near. However, he seems unfazed by the risks, and he believes that his ship will beat down the pride of the lofty monaseer.
The sailor tells his loved one that the prizes they have taken are from France and Spain, and his true love at home will have part of them the same. The sailor seems like a brave and proud fighter, who is ready to take on any challenges that come his way. However, he is also a romantic and loyal lover, who hopes to return home and reunite with his sweetheart.
The song captures the spirit of adventure and danger that comes with being a sailor on board a privateer ship. It also highlights the sacrifices that sailors had to make by leaving their loved ones behind and putting their lives on the line. The lyrics also have a hint of nostalgia for a time when wars and piracy were common, and sailors were considered heroes for their bravery.
Line by Line Meaning
Our boat, she's on a drift
Our boat is drifting without control, moving aimlessly
And our ship, she's on the waves
Our ship is sailing on the sea waves
Farewell my dearest jewel
Goodbye my precious loved one
For no longer can I stay
I cannot remain here anymore
Our ship, she lies awaiting
Our ship is waiting for us
So fare you well, my dear
Goodbye, my darling
For I must go on board
I have to board the ship
Of this bold privateer
To join this brave pirate ship
There's no-one that can tell you
Nobody can predict for you
What great hazards you will run
The great dangers you may face
So many have been slain
Many have been killed
Since the wars first begun
Since the start of the wars
Such bloody engagements
Violent combats
And dangers that draw near
And the imminent danger
With loss of their sweet lives
Many people have lost their precious lives
In this bold privateer
On this fearless pirate ship
Grieve not, my dearest jewel
Do not be sad, my beloved
When I'm out of your sweet sight
When I'm not in your presence
For I must go on board
I have to embark
And so boldly I will fight
And I will fight courageously
We'll beat down the pride
We'll crush the arrogance
Of the lofty monaseer
Of the high-ranking dignitary
And soon we'll let them know
And we'll inform them soon
She's a bold privateer
That we are a daring pirate ship
Then since you are a-going
Since you are leaving now
May heaven kinder be
May heaven be kind to you
May kind heaven protect you
May heavenly forces protect you
By land or by sea
Whether you travel on land or sea
The prizes we have taken
The spoils that we have captured
Are from France and from Spain
Were seized from France or Spain
And my true love at home
And my beloved one at home
Will have part of them the same
Will get to share them too
And when the wars are over
And at the end of the wars
I'll turn unto my dear
I'll return to my beloved
And then I'll bid adieu
And then I'll say goodbye
To this bold privateer
To this daring pirate ship
Oh, when the wars are over
Oh, at the end of the wars
I'll turn unto my dear
I'll come back to my beloved
And then I'll bid adieu
And then I'll say farewell
To this bold privateer
To this brave pirate ship
Contributed by Aubrey G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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