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From: Gord Broom <gjbroom@csr.uvic.ca> THE BALLAD OF THE YARMOUTH CASTLE Gordon Lightfoot (C) 1969 Transcribed by Gord Broom <gjbroom@csr.UVic.CA>, 1994. (Version 1.0) NOTES: This song appeared originally on the "Sunday Concert" live album. Capo at the second fret and fingerpick. At the end of the first and third lines of each verse, use a G/Gsus4/G riff. At the end of the second and fourth lines, use an Am/Asus4/Am/Asus2/Am riff. I've transcribed it from the "Original Lightfoot" boxed set. Thanks to Matthew Fifer <mfifer@merle.acns.nwu.edu> for sending me the lyrics off the "Sunday Concert Plus" CD which corrected a couple of my "hear-os." CHORDS:
xoAm231o Cx32o1Go 3Asus22ooo4 xAsus4o23oo xGsus4o234o 32oo14 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ||||o| ||||o| |||||| |||||| |||||| ||||o| ||oo|| ||o||| |o|||| ||oo|| ||oo|| |o|||| |||||| |o|||| o||||o |||||| ||||o| o||||o
SONG: [Capo 2nd Fret]
AmWell it's 4 o'clock in the Cafternoon, the Ganchors have been weighed, From AmMiami to GNassau, she'sAm bound across the waves. She's a-headCin' south throGugh Biscayne Bay, into the open sea, The AmYarmouth Castle's, she's a-Gdying and don't Amknow it!
ThereAm were many years Cshe's been to sea, Gshe's seen the better times, She Amgives a groan of Gprotest as they Amcast away her lines. AnAmd the grumble oCf her engines anGd the rust along her spine, TellAms the Castle she'Gs too old Amto be sailing.
But the Amsands run out Cwithin her heart, a Gtiny spark glows red, AmSmoulders through the Gevening as Amlaughter overhead, Now Amwhen dinner's served and the Ccards are dealt, & the Gdrinks are passed around, AmDeep within, the Gfire starts a-Amburning.
Now it's Ammidnight on the Copen sea, the Gmoon is shining bright, Some Ampeople join the Gparty and Amothers say goodnight. There's Ammany who are Csleeping now, it's Gbeen a busy day, And the Amtiny whisp of Gsmoke is a-Amrisin'.
&quoAmt;Oh lord," sheC groans, "I'Gm burnin', let someone understand!" But her Amsilent plea is Gwasted in the Amplayin' of the band! EveryAmbody's dancin' on the Cdeck and they're a-Ghavin' such a time, And a Amvoice says, &Gquot;Shut up and deal,Am I'm losin'"
Deep Amwithin the Yarmouth CCastle the Gfire begins to glow, It Amleaps into the Ghallways and Amclimbs and twists and grows! And the Ampaint she wore to Ckeep her young, oh GLord, how well it burns! And Amsoon that ol' Gfire is Amragin'.
Now beAmneath the bridge it's Cclimbing fast, the Gcaptain stands alone He Amcalls up to the Gbos'un, says, &Amquot;Bos'un, we are lost!" AmFor the ragged hoses in the Cracks, no Gpressure do they hold, The Ampeople down beGlow will soon be Amdyin'.
All Amamidship's, oh she's a-Cblazin' now, it's Gspreadin' fore and aft! The Ampeople are a-Gscramblin' as the Amfire blocks the path. The Amevil smoke surCrounds them and they're Gfallin' in their tracks, And the Amcaptain in his Glifeboat is a-Amleavin'.
BREAK: Am / (B) / C/ G / Am / G / Am
Oh Amthen the ship BaCnana Star, comes Gsteamin' through the night, She Amsees the Castle Gblazin' and 'tis Ama terrible sight. &Amquot;Jump down, jump down,&Cquot; the captain crieGs, "we'll save you if we can!" And the Ampaint on his Gfunnels is a-Amfryin'.
God Amhelp the ones who Csleep below and Gcannot find the way, Thank AmGod for those we Grescued uAmpon this awful day! Now the Amheroes they are Cmany but the Gtimes are goin' slim, And Amnow from stern to Gbow she's a-Amblazin'.
Oh the AmYarmouth Castle's Cmoanin', she's Gcryin' like a child, You can Amhear her if you Glisten aboAmve the roar so wild. Is she Amcryin' for the Cones who lie Gwithin her molten sides, Or Amcryin' for Gherself I'm a-Amwonderin''
But the Amliving soon were Crescued, the Gones who lived to tell, From the AmStar they a-Gwatched her as she Amdied there in the swells. Like a Amtoy ship on a Cmill pond she Gburned all through the night, Then Amslipped beneath the Gwaves in the Ammornin'.