The members are: John Brown, Julian Brown, Jeremy Brown (these first three being brothers), Trevor Grills (died 11 February 2013), John Lethbridge, Billy Hawkins, Nigel Sherratt, Peter Rowe, John McDonnell and Jon Cleave. At 78, Peter Rowe is the oldest member, as of June 2012. Jon Cleave is the MC of the group.
All the members of the group "grew up within half a mile of Port Isaac harbour" except for John McDonnell who is a Yorkshireman. Three are fishermen, and the others are linked to the sea through service as coastguards or lifeboatmen.
The group performed at the 2010 Cornbury music festival in Oxfordshire, the Glastonbury Festival and the Cambridge Folk Festival. The group had released two CDs themselves before signing with Universal; their first album with Universal, Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends, was recorded in St Kew Parish Church, Cornwall, and released in April 2010.
www.fishermansfriendsportisaac.co.uk
Donkey Riding
Fisherman's Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stowing timber on the deck
Where you can break your bleeding neck
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Way, hey and away we go
Was you ever ′round Cape Horn
Where the weather's never warm
Wished to God you′d never been born
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding (yee-haw)
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
Was you ever in Fortune Bay
Where the girls all shout "Hooray"
Here comes Johnny with his six months pay
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
Was you ever in Rilafoe
Where the girls put on a show
Shake their asses, little roll and go
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding (yee-haw)
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
Was you ever in Malbec beach
Brewing patter on a day
Dawn at day is a white man's bay
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
I'll tell me ma when I go home
The boys won′t leave the girls alone
They pulled my hair, they stole my comb
But that′s alright, 'til I go home
She is hot and she is pretty
She is a girl I′ve never seen
She is a golden one, two, three
Please, won't you tell me who is she?
Was you ever in Miramichi
Where they tie us to a tree
And then sees a dirt like me
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding (yee-haw)
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
Was you ever in London town
See the queen she still come down
For 60 years she worn her crown
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding (yee-haw)
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
Donkey riding, donkey riding (yee-haw)
Way, hey and away we go
Riding on a donkey
The lyrics to "Donkey Riding" by Fisherman's Friends is a traditional sea shanty that tells the tales of sailors and their experiences in various locations. The song begins by asking if you have ever been in Quebec, stowing timber on the deck. The line "where you can break your bleeding neck" suggests the dangerous nature of the work. The chorus of "way, hey and away we go, donkey riding" signifies the repetitive and rhythmic motion of riding on a donkey.
The next verse mentions Cape Horn, a treacherous stretch of water at the southernmost tip of South America, known for its harsh weather conditions. The line "where the weather's never warm, wished to God you'd never been born" captures the hardships faced by sailors in this region. Fortune Bay is mentioned in the following verse, where the girls cheer for Johnny as he arrives with his wages, reflecting the excitement and celebration in port towns when sailors return.
The lyrics then mention Rilafoe, where the girls put on a show and "shake their asses, little roll and go." This line alludes to the lively and entertaining atmosphere that sailors could experience in certain ports. Malbec beach is mentioned, where the dawn at day is a "white man's bay," possibly hinting at racial tensions or an unfamiliar environment. The line suggests that riding on a donkey through unfamiliar territory can be both challenging and eye-opening.
The final verses mention Miramichi, where sailors are tied to a tree, highlighting a possible punishment or harsh treatment that sailors could face. London town is mentioned and the lyrics refer to the queen who has worn her crown for 60 years. This line emphasizes the long-standing presence and influence of the monarchy, suggesting that even sailors, who may have been far from home, were aware of this significant milestone.
Overall, "Donkey Riding" is a lively sea shanty that narrates the adventures, challenges, and experiences of sailors in various locations, capturing both the excitement and difficulties they faced during their voyages.
Line by Line Meaning
Was you ever in Quebec
Have you ever been to Quebec?
Stowing timber on the deck
Loading timber onto the ship's deck
Where you can break your bleeding neck
A dangerous situation where you could injure yourself
Riding on a donkey
Traveling or working with the help of a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
An expression to start a journey with enthusiasm
Donkey riding, donkey riding
Enjoying the experience of riding a donkey
Was you ever ′round Cape Horn
Have you ever been around Cape Horn?
Where the weather's never warm
Referring to the region's cold climate
Wished to God you′d never been born
Regretting the difficult circumstances
Was you ever in Fortune Bay
Have you ever been to Fortune Bay?
Where the girls all shout 'Hooray'
Describing the enthusiastic welcome from the girls
Here comes Johnny with his six months pay
Referring to someone named Johnny and his earnings
Was you ever in Rilafoe
Have you ever been to Rilafoe?
Where the girls put on a show
Describing the entertaining performance by the girls
Shake their asses, little roll and go
Energetically moving their bodies and having fun
Was you ever in Malbec beach
Have you ever been to Malbec beach?
Brewing patter on a day
Engaging in friendly conversation
Dawn at day is a white man's bay
A peaceful and beautiful start to the day
I'll tell me ma when I go home
I'll inform my mother when I return
The boys won′t leave the girls alone
The boys persistently bother the girls
They pulled my hair, they stole my comb
They caused me discomfort and took my belongings
But that′s alright, 'til I go home
Accepting the situation until returning home
She is hot and she is pretty
Referring to an attractive girl
She is a girl I′ve never seen
Expressing admiration for an unfamiliar girl
She is a golden one, two, three
Emphasizing her exceptional qualities
Please, won't you tell me who is she?
Requesting information about her identity
Was you ever in Miramichi
Have you ever been to Miramichi?
Where they tie us to a tree
Describing a situation where people are restrained
And then sees a dirt like me
Being treated poorly or unfairly
Was you ever in London town
Have you ever been to London town?
See the queen she still come down
Observing the continued presence of the queen
For 60 years she worn her crown
Highlighting the queen's long reign
Way, hey and away we go
An expression to start a journey with enthusiasm
Donkey riding, donkey riding (yee-haw)
Enjoying the experience of riding a donkey
Way, hey and away we go
An expression to continue the journey with enthusiasm
Riding on a donkey
Traveling or working with the help of a donkey
Writer(s): John Anthony Brown, Julian Nicholas Brown, John Leonard Mcdonnell, Christopher John Lethbridge, Jeremy David Brown, Jonathan Robert Cleave, Michael William Hawkins, Jason Nicholas, Toby Lobb
Contributed by Lincoln J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rob
on Blow the Man Down
I was as drunk as a skunk out on Paradise Street
Wey hey blow the man down
When a minging old strumpet I chanced for to meet
Give me some time to blow the man down
She had hair like a scarecrow and a rolling glass eye
Wey hey blow the man down
And I fell for her charms as she hobbled on by
Give me some time to blow the man down
Chorus:
Blow the man down bullys, blow the man down
Wey hey blow the man down
Blow him right back into Liverpool town
Give me some time to blow the man down
Her topsails were flapping, her rigging ran free
Wey hey blow the man down
And she clewed up her corsets and winked right at me
Give me some time to blow the man down
She was steamy and beamy and broad in the bow
Wey hey blow the man down
"Get your coat boy you've pulled and come 'ome with me now"
Give me some time to blow the man down
Chorus
I slapped and I tickled, she giggled and swooned
Wey hey blow the man down
And all the night long we canoodled and spooned
Give me some time to blow the man down
Yes all the night long won't you give me a clap?
Wey hey blow the man down
And that's just what she give me and I ain't going back
Give me some time to blow the man down
Chorus x 2