Jerry has been featured in the San Francisco National Maritime Historic Park’s sea music concert series, Mystic Seaport Museum’s annual Sea Music Festival, South Street Seaport in New York, and many others. His recording The Ballad of Harbo and Samuelsen showcases old and new songs. He can also can be heard on the Mystic Seaport CD American Sea Chanteys, and on Contentment by Rick Spencer. His latest release, Roast Beef of Old England, is a collection of traditional songs from the man-of-war days of the British Navy, and is a companion to the seafaring novels of Patrick O’Brian.
Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate
Jerry Bryant and Starboard Mess Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Since we sailed from Plymouth Sound, four years gone, or nigh, Jack.
Was there ever chummies, now, such as you and I, Jack?
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
We have worked the self-same gun, quarterdeck division.
Sponger I and loader you, through the whole commission.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Oftentimes have we laid out, toil nor danger fearing,
Tugging out the flapping sail to the weather earring.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
When the middle watch was on, and the time went slow, boy,
Who could choose a rousing stave, who like Jack or Joe, boy?
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
There she swings, an empty hulk, not a soul below now.
Number seven starboard mess misses Jack and Joe now.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
But the best of friends must part, fair or foul the weather.
Hand yer flipper for a shake, now a drink together.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
The song "Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate" is a tribute to the camaraderie that exists between sailors who have been at sea for extended periods. The lyrics speak of sailors who have just returned home after being at sea for four years. The men are happy to be safe and sound at home again, with the sound of the rolling waves still fresh in their minds. The lyrics invite the sailors not to forget about their old comrades who they shared many adventures with at sea.
The opening verse sets the tone of the song and repeats twice "Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack. Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack. Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!".
The song speaks about the deep bond that is formed between sailors who have worked and fought together for extended periods. The lyrics mention the many tasks that sailors have to do together, like working the same gun and lowering the sail. Many of the lines are written colloquially, as if spoken from one sailor to the other in the direct, frank manner of the sea. The last line of the song suggests that even though they must part ways, they should still remain in contact and honor their friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.
We've finally made it back home safely, so let the ocean waves roar in celebration.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
We've endured many hardships at sea, but now we're happy to be safely on land.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Let's remember and honor our old friend and fellow sailor, with our traditional chant.
Since we sailed from Plymouth Sound, four years gone, or nigh, Jack.
It's been almost four years since we first set sail from Plymouth Sound, Jack.
Was there ever chummies, now, such as you and I, Jack?
Have we ever had such a strong friendship as the one we share, Jack?
We have worked the self-same gun, quarterdeck division.
We've worked together on the same cannon, with you as loader and me as sponger on the quarterdeck.
Sponger I and loader you, through the whole commission.
I've been the sponger, and you've been the loader, throughout our entire naval service together.
Oftentimes have we laid out, toil nor danger fearing, Tugging out the flapping sail to the weather earring.
We've often faced challenging situations, without fear, as we worked together to adjust the sails in changing weather.
When the middle watch was on, and the time went slow, boy, Who could choose a rousing stave, who like Jack or Joe, boy?
During the slow middle watch shift, who else could lift our spirits with some lively music, other than you or Joe, boy?
There she swings, an empty hulk, not a soul below now. Number seven starboard mess misses Jack and Joe now.
Our old ship is now an empty shell, with no crew. But our old mess, number seven on the starboard side, misses us both.
But the best of friends must part, fair or foul the weather. Hand yer flipper for a shake, now a drink together.
As good friends do, we must eventually part ways, no matter the weather. Let's shake hands and have a drink together before we say goodbye.
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack.
As we reflect on our sea voyages, we're grateful to be safe and sound on dry land, Jack.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Let's keep our old shipmate in our thoughts and memories, and honor our naval traditions with our chant, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Contributed by Julia F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.