Mr. Stormalong
Ivan Neville Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

O, Stormy′s gone, that good old man,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
O, poor old Stormy's dead and gone,
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

We dug his grave with a silver spade,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
His shroud of the finest silk was made.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

We lowered him with a silver chain,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
Our eyes all dim with more than rain.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

An able sailor, bold and true,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
A good old bosun to his crew.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

He′s moored at last, and furled his sail,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
No danger now from wreck or gale.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

I wish I was old Stormy's son,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
I'd build me a ship of a thousand ton.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

I′d fill her up with New England rum,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
And all my shellbacks they would have some.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

I′d sail this wide world 'round and ′round,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!
With plenty of money I would be found.
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

Old Stormy's dead and gone to rest,
To my way hay, Stormalong, John!




Of all the sailors he was the best,
To my aye, aye, aye, aye, Mister Stormalong!

Overall Meaning

The song "Mr. Stormalong" by Ivan Neville is a classic sea shanty that pays tribute to a legendary sailor named Stormy. The first verse announces Stormy's demise, mourning his loss, and celebrating his life. The song then goes on to describe the funeral procession, with the silver spade, silk shroud, and silver chain, painting the picture of a sailor who was respected and revered.


The song then turns to admiration for Stormy's sailing skills and the role he played as a bosun, or boatswain, to his crew. The idea of following in Stormy's footsteps and becoming a successful sailor like him is expressed in the final verses, with the wish to build a ship and sail the world with a crew fueled by New England rum. The closing lines reminisce about Stormy being the best sailor of them all, a true legend.


The song is a beautifully crafted tribute to a sailor who was larger than life. It celebrates a man who lived and breathed the sea and left a lasting impact on all those who knew him.


Line by Line Meaning

O, Stormy's gone, that good old man,
We bid farewell to the good old man, Stormy.


O, poor old Stormy's dead and gone,
Poor Stormy has passed away.


We dug his grave with a silver spade,
We laid him to rest with great honor and dignity.


His shroud of the finest silk was made.
He was wrapped in a shroud made of the finest silk.


We lowered him with a silver chain,
He was lowered into his grave by a silver chain.


Our eyes all dim with more than rain.
Our eyes were filled with tears and sorrow.


An able sailor, bold and true,
He was a skilled, courageous sailor.


A good old bosun to his crew.
He was a respected leader and mentor to his crew.


He's moored at last, and furled his sail,
He has reached his final resting place and can rest from his labors.


No danger now from wreck or gale.
He is now free from the dangers of the sea.


I wish I was old Stormy's son,
I greatly admire Stormy and wish to be like him.


I'd build me a ship of a thousand ton.
I would build a great ship in his honor.


I'd fill her up with New England rum,
I would fill the ship with the best of everything in his honor.


And all my shellbacks they would have some.
All of his former sailors would be welcome aboard.


I'd sail this wide world 'round and 'round,
I would sail the world like he did.


With plenty of money I would be found.
I would be successful and wealthy like he was.


Old Stormy's dead and gone to rest,
Stormy has passed away and is now resting peacefully.


Of all the sailors he was the best.
He was the greatest sailor of them all.




Writer(s): Simon Emmerson, Ewan Maccoll

Contributed by Adam Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found