In 1966 the pair teamed up and began a significant influence on the folk music scene of the time. For contractual reasons, Swarbrick was given second billing on Carthy’s first three albums, but they shared the credits on the next album, But Two Came By (1968).
For many critics, Prince Heathen from 1969 was their finest recording together.
In 2006, the duo released "Straws in the Wind". In 2007, they won the 'Best Duo' Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Ship in Distress
Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See dangers landsmen never know.
'Tis not for honour or promotion;
No tongue can tell what they undergo.
In the blusterous wind and the great dark water
Our ship went drifting on the sea,
Her rigging gone, and her rudder broken,
Which brought us to extremity.
For fourteen days, heartsore and hungry,
Seeing but wild water and bitter sky,
Poor fellows all stood in a totter,
A-casting lots as to who should die.
Their lot it fell on Robert Jackson,
Whose family was so great.
"I'm free to die, but oh, me comrades,
Let me keep look-out till the break of day."
A full dressed ship like the sun a-glittering
Came bearing down to their relief.
As soon as this glad news was shouted,
It banished all their care and grief.
Our ship brought to, no longer drifting,
Safe in Saint Vincent, Cap Verde, she lay.
You seamen all, who hear my story,
Pray you'll ne'er suffer the like again.
The song "Ship in Distress" is a melancholic ode to the struggles of seafarers who are often forgotten by those on land. The lyrics evoke the danger and unpredictability of life at sea, as the sailors face treacherous waters and uncertain prospects. The seafarers described in the song are not seeking fame or glory, but rather are enduring these hardships out of necessity, forced to face the elements in order to make a living.
The singer describes a perilous journey, where their ship is adrift and vulnerable in wild waters. The crew is described as heartsore and hungry, with no food or supplies to sustain them. In desperation, they resort to casting lots to determine who will sacrifice themselves in order to save the others. The unlucky one is Robert Jackson, whose courage and dedication to his comrades are evident in his request to keep watch until dawn, despite his imminent demise.
Line by Line Meaning
You seamen bold who plough the ocean
The song addresses those who dare to sail through the ocean.
See dangers landsmen never know.
The dangers of the open sea are unique to sailors and cannot be understood by those who have never journeyed through it.
'Tis not for honour or promotion;
Sailors do not sail for personal gain or recognition.
No tongue can tell what they undergo.
The hardships that sailors face at sea are beyond words.
In the blusterous wind and the great dark water
The treacherous sea is characterized by strong winds and dark waves.
Our ship went drifting on the sea,
The ship was aimlessly carried away by the currents of the open sea.
Her rigging gone, and her rudder broken,
The ship's spar and steering apparatus were damaged leaving the crew helpless in the sea.
Which brought us to extremity.
The situation progressively became dire as the ship drifted without any control.
For fourteen days, heartsore and hungry,
The crew endured two weeks of both physical and emotional exhaustion.
Seeing but wild water and bitter sky,
The crew experienced nothing but the sea and sky without any land in sight.
Poor fellows all stood in a totter,
The sailors were emotionally and physically drained, standing unsteadily on the deck.
A-casting lots as to who should die.
The crew resorted to deciding who amongst them would be sacrificed to ensure the survival of the rest by casting lots.
Their lot it fell on Robert Jackson,
Robert Jackson was chosen as the person who would be sacrificed.
Whose family was so great.
Robert Jackson was chosen despite his notable family background and connections.
"I'm free to die, but oh, me comrades,
Robert Jackson resigned himself to his fate but asked his fellow sailors to allow him to fulfill one last duty as a lookout until sunrise.
Let me keep look-out till the break of day."
He requested to be allowed to lookout till daybreak.
A full dressed ship like the sun a-glittering
A fully equipped and resplendent ship could be sighted from a distance approaching their aid.
Came bearing down to their relief.
The ship came down to rescue them from danger.
As soon as this glad news was shouted,
The arrival of the rescuer was announced to the sailors.
It banished all their care and grief.
The presence of relief ship drove away all their worries and sorrows.
Our ship brought to, no longer drifting,
Their ship was now anchored, with no imminent danger and motionless.
Safe in Saint Vincent, Cap Verde, she lay.
They finally reached the safe harbor of Saint Vincent, Cap Verde.
You seamen all, who hear my story,
The song ends with a warning to every sailor who eventually listens to the story.
Pray you'll ne'er suffer the like again.
The storyteller prays that they will never have to face such a tragic and dangerous situation again.
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.