Great Big Sea / Gone by the Board
Great Big Sea Lyrics


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Great big sea hove in Long Beach,
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
Great big sea hove in Long Beach,
Granny Snooks she lost her speech,
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Great big sea hove in the Harbour
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
Great big sea hove in the Harbour
Hove right up to Keough's Parlour
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Mother, dear I wants a sack
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
Mother, dear I wants a sack
With beads and buttons all down me back
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

"Me boot is broke, me frock is tore
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
Boot is broke, me frock is tore
But Granny Snooks I do adore.
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Fish is gone and the flour is high
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
Fish is gone and the flour is high
Granny Snooks she can't have I
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

She will have me in the fall
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
If she don't I'll hoist my sail
Hove right up to old Canaille.
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Great big sea hove in Long Beach,
Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do,
Great big sea hove in Long Beach,




Granny Snooks she lost her speech,
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Great Big Sea's song "Gone by the Board" are playful and whimsical, telling a tale of the sea coming into Long Beach and the Harbor. The chorus repeats several times throughout the song, proclaiming the arrival of the great big sea and Granny Snooks, who loses her speech upon seeing it. The verses follow a loose narrative about a young woman asking her mother for a sack with beads and buttons down her back, lamenting her torn dress and broken boot, and the scarcity of fish and high cost of flour. She expresses her love for Granny Snooks and her intention to visit her in the fall, or else set sail to old Canaille. The lyrics are made up of nonsensical phrases and onomatopoeia, creating a humorous and catchy song that invites listeners to sing along.


It is unclear what the true meaning behind the lyrics of "Gone by the Board" is, but it is possible that they are simply meant to be entertaining and whimsical. The use of onomatopoeia and nonsense words adds a childlike quality to the song, and the repeated chorus creates a sense of unity and excitement. The use of specific names like Granny Snooks and Keough's Parlour may have historical or cultural significance, but without more information, it is difficult to say for certain. Overall, "Gone by the Board" is a lighthearted and fun song that captures the playful spirit of Great Big Sea's music.


Line by Line Meaning

Great big sea hove in Long Beach, Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, Great big sea hove in Long Beach, Granny Snooks she lost her speech, To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The Great Big Sea arrived in Long Beach, accompanied by the sound of music. Granny Snooks was so astonished that she was unable to speak, causing uproarious joy among the onlookers.


Great big sea hove in the Harbour Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, Great big sea hove in the Harbour Hove right up to Keough's Parlour To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The Great Big Sea arrived in the harbor, with music and singing filling the air. The boat pulled up next to Keough's Parlour, causing excitement and anticipation for the revelry to come.


Mother, dear I wants a sack Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, Mother, dear I wants a sack With beads and buttons all down me back To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The singer expresses their desire for a new garment, adorned with beads and buttons. They make this request to their mother, with much enthusiasm and cheer.


"Me boot is broke, me frock is tore Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, Boot is broke, me frock is tore But Granny Snooks I do adore. To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The artist laments the state of their broken boots and torn dress, but despite this inconvenience, they still hold deep affection for Granny Snooks.


Fish is gone and the flour is high Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, Fish is gone and the flour is high Granny Snooks she can't have I To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The artist bemoans the high cost of flour and the scarcity of fish. They humorously state that Granny Snooks cannot have them, indicating they must prioritize other expenses.


She will have me in the fall Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, If she don't I'll hoist my sail Hove right up to old Canaille. To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The singer jokes that Granny Snooks will claim them in the fall, but if not, they will sail away to old Canaille. It is a light-hearted statement, meant as a playful threat.


Great big sea hove in Long Beach, Whack fal-o-ral tad-dle did-dle i-do, Great big sea hove in Long Beach, Granny Snooks she lost her speech, To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.
The Great Big Sea returns to Long Beach, with music and singing once again present. This time, Granny Snooks once again loses her ability to speak, adding to the joyfulness of the scene.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TRAD, Alan Thomas Doyle, Darrell Power, Robert Bruce Hallett, Shawn McCann

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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