Three Score & Ten

Methinks I see a host of craft spreading their sails a-lee
As down the Humber they do glide all bound for the Northern Sea
Methinks I see on each small craft a crew with hearts so brave
Going out to earn their daily bread upon the restless wave
And it’s three score and ten boys and men were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough, many hundreds more were drowned
Our herring craft, our trawlers, our fishing smacks as well
They long to fight the bitter night and battle with the swell
Methinks I see them yet again as they leave the shores behind
And cast their nets into the waves, those herring shoals to find
Methinks I see them yet again and all on board’s all right
With their sails close-reefed and the decks cleared up and the sidelights
burning bright
And it’s three score and ten boys and men were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough, many hundreds more were drowned
Our herring craft, our trawlers, our fishing smacks as well
They long to fight the bitter night and battle with the swell
Well October’s night t’was such a sight, t’was never seen before
As masts and yards and broken spars came floating to the shore
There was many a heart of sorrow, there was many a heart so brave
There was many a hearty fisher lad who found their watery grave
And it’s three score and ten boys and men were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough, many hundreds more were drowned
Our herring craft, our trawlers, our fishing smacks as well
They long to fight the bitter night and battle with the swell
And it’s three score and ten boys and men were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough, many hundreds more were drowned
Our herring craft, our trawlers, our fishing smacks as well
They long to fight the bitter night and battle with the swell