Pyrates! have requisitioned countless well known folk tunes from sailors of ages past including songs of the sea, Bawdy Ballads, Jaunty Jigs, Irish Ditties, Sea Shanties, Drinking Songs and arr’cappella folk tunes that’ll be sure ta have yez tappin’ yer foot and singing along in no time!
www.pyrates.co.uk
www.youtube.com/user/Pyratesuk/videos
Strike The Bell
Pyrates! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is the second mate, so steady and so stout
What he is a-thinkin', of he doesn't know himself
We're wishin' he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below
Look well to windward you can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass, you can see that it has fell
Down on the main deck, and workin' at the pumps
There's the starboard watch, just a-longin' for their bunks
Lookin' out to windward, they see a great swell
They're wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below
Look well to windward you can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass, you can see that it has fell
And we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
Forward on the fo'cs'le head, and keepin' sharp lookout
There's Johnny standin', a-ready for to shout
The lights are burnin' bright, sir, everything is well
And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below
Look well to windward you can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass, you can see that it has fell
And we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
Down at the wheelhouse, old Anderson stands
Grasping at the helm with his frost bitten hands
Lookin' at the compass the course is straight as hell
He's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below
Look well to windward you can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass, you can see that it has fell
And we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
Up on the quarterdeck, our gallant captain stands
Lookin' out to windward with a spyglass in his hand
What he is a-thinkin', we know very well
He's thinkin' more of short'nin' sail than strike, strike the bell
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below
Look well to windward you can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass, you can see that it has fell
And we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
"Strike the Bell" is a traditional sea shanty that was usually sung on ships to coordinate the activities of sailors during storms, especially when it was necessary to strike the sails or change course quickly. The ship in this song appears to be in rough waters, and the crew is eager for the second mate to strike the bell so that they can embark on their various duties. The lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of different crew members, such as the starboard watch, Johnny at the forecastle, and Anderson at the helm, each hoping for a speedy strike before the storm worsens.
The repetition of "Strike the bell" throughout the song emphasizes its importance on board the ship as an urgent call to action. The song also reveals the division of labor and hierarchy on board the ship, with the captain taking precedence over the second mate, who is in charge of ringing the bell. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and anticipation for the storm, as well as a reliance on teamwork and coordination in risky situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Up on the poop deck, and walkin' about
We are on the back of the ship where the captain and officers are, observing and walking around.
There is the second mate, so steady and so stout
We see the second in command of the ship, who is strong and reliable.
What he is a-thinkin', of he doesn't know himself
The second mate is lost in his thoughts and is unsure of what to do.
We're wishin' he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell
We want him to quickly sound the bell to signal that the ship needs to change course.
Down on the main deck, and workin' at the pumps
We are now on the lower deck where the crew is working hard to pump water out of the ship.
There's the starboard watch, just a-longin' for their bunks
The sailors on the right side of the ship are tired and ready to go to sleep.
Lookin' out to windward, they see a great swell
They are observing the wind and waves and notice a large swell coming.
They're wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
They want the second mate to sound the bell to alert the crew to the oncoming danger.
Forward on the fo'cs'le head, and keepin' sharp lookout
We are at the front of the ship where a lookout is keeping watch for any signs of danger.
There's Johnny standin', a-ready for to shout
A sailor named Johnny is prepared to alert the crew to any danger he sees.
The lights are burnin' bright, sir, everything is well
The lights are on and everything appears to be safe and under control.
And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Johnny hopes the second mate will sound the bell if he sees anything concerning.
Down at the wheelhouse, old Anderson stands
We are now at the control center of the ship where an older man named Anderson is steering the ship.
Grasping at the helm with his frost bitten hands
Anderson's hands are cold and stiff from the frigid weather conditions.
Lookin' at the compass the course is straight as hell
Anderson sees that they are on a straight course according to the compass.
He's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell
Anderson wants the second mate to sound the bell if he sees any reason to change course.
Up on the quarterdeck, our gallant captain stands
We are now at the highest level of the ship where the captain is standing resolutely.
Lookin' out to windward with a spyglass in his hand
The captain is using a telescope to scan the horizon for any signs of danger.
What he is a-thinkin', we know very well
The captain is clearly concerned about the safety of the ship and crew.
He's thinkin' more of short'nin' sail than strike, strike the bell
The captain is considering reducing the amount of sail to have better control of the ship in the coming storm.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: David Gedrych
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind