Since the choir was established, they have managed to release 5 cds and done lots of concerts and performances. Some of the highlights of the past few years have been the Langesund International Shantyfestival, Festival Maritim in Bremen (Germany), Telemarkfestivalen in Bø and Bergenfest 2006, and they are currently doing well in Japan. Feedback from their concerts have been very good, and they think that the main reason for their “little success” is that they enjoy so much doing this, and also that they allow and encourage their guests to sing along!
Theyr mission and main directives is to bring forth a forgotten song tradition. At the same time they wish to give their audience, and themselves, a lot of fun, and experience the pleasure of salty folk music. With the old true sailors in mind, they wish to give the shanties all the power, humour and respect they deserve.
The most of their stuff is done a cappella, but they also include mandolin, flute, and guitar on some of their songs. As far as it is possible, they do their concerts without any microphones. "They did not use microphones while rounding the salty Cape Horn, so we should be able to do the same in a pub!!"
Band members: Håkon Vatle, Ronny Sætre, Rune Nesse, Vidar Vedå, Roald Kaldestad and Gisle Østrem
The Bonnie Ship The Diamond
Storm Weather Shanty Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the Davis Strait she's bound
and the quay it is all garnished
With bonnie lasses 'round
Captain Thompson gives the order
To sail the ocean wide
Where the sun it never sets, my lads
Nor darkness dims the sky
And it's cheer up my lads
Let your hearts never fail
For the bonnie ship the Diamond
Goes a-fishing for the whale
Along the quay at Peterhead
The lasses stand around
Wi' their shawls all pulled about them
And the saut tears runnin' doon
Don't you weep, my bonnie lass
Though you be left behind
For the rose will grow on Greenland's ice
Before we change our mind
And it's cheer up my lads
Let your hearts never fail
For the bonnie ship the Diamond
Goes a-fishing for the whale
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy hoy!
Here's a health to the Resolution
Likewise to Eliza Swan
Here's a health to the Battler of Montrose
And the Diamond, ship of fame
We wear the trousers o' the white
The jackets o' the blue
When we return to Peterhead
We'll hae sweethearts enou'
And it's cheer up my lads
Let your hearts never fail
For the bonnie ship the Diamond
Goes a-fishing for the whale
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy!
Hoy hoy!
It will be bright both day and night
When the Greenland lads come hame
Our ship full up with oil, my lads
And money to our name
We'll make the cradles for to rock
And the blankets for to tear
And every lass in Peterhead sing
"Hushabye, my dear"
And it's cheer up my lads
Let your hearts never fail
For the bonnie ship the Diamond
Goes a-fishing for the whale
And it's cheer up my lads
Let your hearts never fail
For the bonnie ship the Diamond
Goes a-fishing for the whale
"The Bonnie Ship The Diamond" by the Storm Weather Shanty Choir is a traditional sea shanty about a ship called "The Diamond" which is bound for the Davis Strait on a whale hunting expedition. The lyrics describe the scene as the ship is prepared for departure, with bonnie lasses around them, and the captain giving the order to set sail. The chorus "Cheer up my lads, let your hearts never fail, for the bonnie ship the Diamond goes a-fishing for the whale" serves as an encouragement to the sailors to keep their spirits up throughout the journey.
The second verse talks about the women left behind, with tears in their eyes as they see their loved ones leave. The sailors console them, saying that the rose will grow on Greenland's ice before they change their mind. The chorus is repeated, with an added "Hoy" chant that adds a sense of camaraderie and unity among the sailors.
The final verse talks about the return journey, where the ship is full of oil and money, and the sailors look forward to pleasing their loved ones upon their return. The lyrics also suggest that the sailors will help rock the cradles and tear the blankets for the newborns while every lass in Peterhead sings "Hushabye, my dear". The song ends with the repeated chorus, encouraging the sailors to stay strong throughout their journey.
Line by Line Meaning
The Diamond is a ship, my lads
The Diamond is a ship that we are talking about
For the Davis Strait she's bound
The ship is heading towards the Davis Strait
and the quay it is all garnished
The dock is decorated
With bonnie lasses 'round
There are pretty girls all around the dock
Captain Thompson gives the order
Captain Thompson commands the crew
To sail the ocean wide
The crew is supposed to sail across the wide ocean
Where the sun it never sets, my lads
The ship is going to a place where the sun never sets
Nor darkness dims the sky
There won't be any darkness in the sky
And it's cheer up my lads
We should be happy and positive
Let your hearts never fail
We should not lose hope
For the bonnie ship the Diamond
We should have hope for the ship
Goes a-fishing for the whale
The ship is fishing for whales
Along the quay at Peterhead
On the dock at Peterhead
The lasses stand around
The girls are standing around
Wi' their shawls all pulled about them
They are wearing shawls pulled tightly around them
And the saut tears runnin' doon
They are crying salty tears
Don't you weep, my bonnie lass
Don't cry, my pretty girl
Though you be left behind
Even if you are left behind
For the rose will grow on Greenland's ice
There is hope for growth and beauty in unexpected places
Before we change our mind
Before we change our plans
Here's a health to the Resolution
Let's toast to the Resolution
Likewise to Eliza Swan
Also, let's toast to Eliza Swan
Here's a health to the Battler of Montrose
Another toast to the Battler of Montrose
And the Diamond, ship of fame
And also let's celebrate the Diamond, which is famous
We wear the trousers o' the white
Our pants are white
The jackets o' the blue
Our jackets are blue
When we return to Peterhead
When we come back to Peterhead
We'll hae sweethearts enou'
We'll have enough sweethearts
It will be bright both day and night
It will always be bright
When the Greenland lads come hame
When the men from Greenland come home
Our ship full up with oil, my lads
Our ship will be full of oil
And money to our name
We'll have money to our name
We'll make the cradles for to rock
We'll make the cradles rock
And the blankets for to tear
We'll tear the blankets
And every lass in Peterhead sing
Every girl in Peterhead will sing
"Hushabye, my dear"
"Go to sleep, my dear"
Writer(s): Traditional, Troy Banarzi
Contributed by Landon C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.