By the mountain glen my lover waits, The Rose of Ben Nishaere. His gold voice gleams on the mountain streams Like sunlight on his hair. He will gird me ‘round in garlands; He will hold me, thornless-close; He will kiss me, soft and gentle As the dew upon the rose. And we’ll lie among the heather In a bed of mountain air – My hawk, my dove, my light, my love, My Rose of Ben Nishaere. We will tarry in the mountain glen When evening paints the land. In his cradling arms, I will watch the stars; In moonlight, we will dance. I will gird him ‘round in garlands; I will hold him, thornless-close; I will kiss him, soft and gentle As the moonlight on the rose. And we’ll lie among the heather In a bed of mountain air – My hawk, my dove, my light, my love, My Rose of Ben Nishaere. My hawk, my dove, my light, my love, My Rose of Ben Nishaere.

In the bright and early mornin’, When the golden day is dawnin’, And the birds are callin’ – Tweet-a-cheep, coo, kaw! – I waken from my muddy bed To crocuses around my head, oh And I leave my toeprints right amongst them all. And I’ll take snow, and I’ll take thunder. I’ll take hunger, and I’ll take pain. I’ll take sorrow matched by wonder, And I’ll go a-ramblin’ after rain. With my pack upon my back, I wander down the rabbit tracks – The creatures have a canny knack To find their way. The leaves around are wet and glistening; As I pass, they each’ll kiss me. Half a thousand sweethearts will be mine this day. So I’ll take snow, and I’ll take thunder. I’ll take hunger, and I’ll take pain. I’ll take sorrow matched by wonder, And I’ll go a-ramblin’ after rain. Oh, I’ve a hearth and I’ve a home. It does look like the world, though! I haven’t seen the half of it And doubt I will. Some prefer a wee’er place To keep ‘em cozy, keep ‘em safe, And keep ‘em from a lot o’ life beside the chill. But I’ll take snow, and I’ll take thunder. I’ll take hunger, and I’ll take pain. I’ll take sorrow matched by wonder, And I’ll go a-ramblin’ after rain. Fare thee well, my friend and brother, Bless you and your pleasant chains. Me, I chose a wilder lover, And I’ll go a-ramblin’ after rain. For I’ll take snow, and I’ll take thunder. I’ll take hunger, and I’ll take pain. I’ll take sorrow matched by wonder, And I’ll go a-ramblin’ after rain. I’ll take snow, and I’ll take thunder. I’ll take hunger, and I’ll take pain. I’ll take sorrow matched by wonder, And I’ll go a-ramblin’ after rain.

Sailin’ out from the port in Boston, Weigh haul away. Past the sight of your wife and children, Weigh haul away. Haul till your achin’ bones curse you. Haul in your sleep if you can. Haulin’s your prayer to the ocean To bring you homeward again. In the storm and the tempest blowin’, Weigh haul away. Caught in the hands of a spiteful ocean, Weigh haul away. Haul till your achin’ bones curse you. Haul in your sleep if you can. Haulin’s your prayer to the ocean To bring you homeward again. Late at night, when the moon is shinin’, Weigh haul away. And for the girl back at home you’re pinin’, Weigh haul away. Haul till your achin’ bones curse you. Haul in your sleep if you can. Haulin’s your prayer to the ocean To bring you homeward again. When it’s sore for home you’re yearnin’, Weigh haul away. With many a moon ‘twixt you and returnin’, Weigh haul away. Haul till your achin’ bones curse you. Haul in your sleep if you can. Haulin’s your prayer to the ocean To bring you homeward again. Haul till your achin’ bones curse you. Haul in your sleep if you can. Haulin’s your prayer to the ocean To bring you homeward again.

I’ll go down to the river and wash my sins away. My one true love has spurned me for carryin’ his babe. My parents will not have me—perhaps my savior may. So I’ll go down to the river and wash my sins away. At dawn I told my lover that I bore his babe; I clasped his hands and asked him to set our wedding day. He threw my fond arms from him and cursed me to my face, So I’ll go down to the river and wash my sins away. I ran to see my mother to seek her warm embrace; She told me she would rather cast me in my grave Than see me as a fallen, slatternly disgrace, So I’ll go down to the river and wash my sins away. John baptized in water, Christ baptized in blood, And I will seek my penance in the dark Missouri’s mud. The river will not scorn me as my own kin have done. Father, please forgive me; I’ve nowhere else to run. I’ll go down to the river and wash my sins away. My one true love has spurned me for carryin’ his babe. My parents will not have me—perhaps my savior may. So I’ll go down to the river and wash my sins away.

Oh, I’m walkin’ along the railroad tracks, Boots tappin’ out on steel— Click, click, clack!— Stogie lit in a night like pitch, Scuffin’ along by feel. An’ that midnight train Pulls on the whistle, I hear it callin’. That midnight train Rolls on ahead and I’m followin’. Oh, I know most folks don’t like to know Us rips in society— Oh, hear me! Through your dreams, a tug at the seams— Hah! Nothin’ but a voice on the breeze. An’ that midnight train Pulls on the whistle, I hear it callin’. That midnight train Rolls on ahead and I’m followin’. Ah, they say some train carries all of the saints, All the temperate, timid, and clean— Praise Jesus Christ! It’s plain that glory train Isn’t for a lady like me. But that midnight train Pulls on the whistle, I hear it callin’. That midnight train Rolls on ahead and I’m followin’. That midnight train Pulls on the whistle, I hear it callin’. That midnight train Rolls on ahead and I’m followin’. Chhh ch-chhh, chh ch-chhhhhhhhh . . .

Oh, the soldiers rowed to shore this evening— Even saw the captain leaving, Gone to find his whiskey and his . . . boors. So the Planter’s dark as Irish porter Now with just us slaves aboard her, Guarded by the cannons at the fort. In this Civil War, the blaggard Davis Thought we’d crew for who enslaved us, Thought we’d labor passively along! Yet he’s right that we will join the fight— We’ll commandeer this ship tonight!— Commanded by our captain, Robert Smalls. “When we pass through fire, We will melt our irons,” Says Captain Robert Smalls. And upon the deck, Smalls counts the hours, Clad in a pair o’ the captain’s trousers And a hat whose brim a face could hide. As the fog rolls in, he whistles “Dixie,” And the anchor chain is clinking As our wives and kids climb up the side. Now, the stars are up at Charleston Harbor, Over the walls of shattered Sumpter, And we raise the Planter’s mooring lines. Though we’re sailing under Sumpter’s guns With lanterns shinin’ down at us, Smalls waves a signal, and he gets us by. “When we pass through fire, We will melt our irons,” Says Captain Robert Smalls. Ah, but just beyond the harbor break We’ll have to face a Yank blockade, And we could take a couple cannon balls. And we watch ‘em bring their guns to bear As Smalls is shouting, “If you’d spare A Union standard, boys, we’ll join y’all!” Oh, and did them Yankees ever listen! Smalls secured his own commission Captainin’ the Planter and her crew. Now he’s rackin’ up a heap o’ medals Whuppin’ on them slavin’ devils— Bet he makes the Congress when we’re through! [Huh. Yep!] “When we pass through fire, We will melt our irons,” Says Captain Robert Smalls.

Once I had a kind young man, Husband and lover. Once I had a kind young man, A long time ago— Santiago’s fearless singer, And Lord, I loved him so. Cold is the wind That blows down the Andes. Green is the grave Where my Victor sleeps. But I swear, by all the love he gave me, Death is not defeat. Victor had a gentle heart, Deep as the rivers. Victor laid oppression low By voice and by pen. And when the fascists seized our country, Their soldiers came for him. Cold is the wind That blows down the Andes. Green is the grave Where my Victor sleeps. But I swear, by all the love he gave me, Death is not defeat. Caged in Chile Stadium, Handcuffed and beaten, Victor raised his voice to sing “We Shall Overcome.” And as the veil of death descended, He sang above the guns. Cold is the wind That blows down the Andes. Green is the grave Where my Victor sleeps. But I swear, by all the love he gave me, Death is not defeat. Then they came to burn his songs And silence his singing. Then they came to still that voice Of hope and of peace. But in the night, I’d crossed the border And his music was with me. Often the song will outlive the singer. Surely the harvest will outlast the seed. And all the world, from Tyre to Belfast, Will hear my Victor sing. Cold is the wind That blows down the Andes. Green is the grave Where my Victor sleeps. For all I’d give to change the ending, Death is not defeat. No, death is not defeat.

I feel my breath Comin’ slow in my chest, And I know old Death is comin’. And I pray at the last I may go to my rest And rise with the blest one mornin’. Row me over Jordan, Row me over Jordan. I would knock at the door Of the home of the Lord. Row me over Jordan. We walk alone From the grey Zion boat, In light that shines more clearly. In barefoot hope, I will rise, then, and go, But now I need you near me. Row me over Jordan, Row me over Jordan. I would knock at the door Of the home of the Lord. Row me over Jordan. Row me over Jordan, Row me over Jordan. I would knock at the door Of the home of the Lord. Row me over Jordan.

I am the sea’s, and the sea has claimed me. Fickle and fair in love is she. Mine is the life of a Peteport fisher, Mine is the living sea. Sailing again to the Peteport harbor, Bearing a hold of herring and bream Back to the shore, where my forebears heard her Beckon, beckoning. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap, And the rings are on the water. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap— In one long arc, I’ve sought her. I am the sea’s, come weal, come ruin. Damn any chart that the keen men keep! Mine is the soul of a Peteport fisher, Bound to the wounded sea. More, ever more, we sail home empty Over a sheet of oil-sick sheen. But, by the Lord, I still can’t leave her, Even in guilt and grief. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap, And the rings are on the water. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap— In one long arc, I’ve sought her. Such were the words my papa was singing, Soft on the breath that flutters and leaves— And he was the last of the Peteport fishers Left from the living sea. “Dust unto dust,” the farmers are sayin’ Back in the chapel. So it may be. But it’s the waves of the Peteport ocean Where he’ll find his peace. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap, And the rings are on the water. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap— In one long arc, he sought her. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap, And the rings are on the water. The blue salt sea’s a lover’s leap— In one long arc, he sought her.

Who’s the girl with the hazel hair And the lips as sweet as summer cherries? Surely, she’s the one I love And she’s the one I’ll marry. Love is patient, love is kind – Take my hand, or take my arm – Oh love, I’d love for to call you mine, Won’tcha dance with me, my darlin’? Who’s the one who makes me laugh And sing when I am downright weary? Who’s the one who turns the world Aright when she is near me? Love is patient, love is kind – Take my hand, or take my arm – Oh love, I’d love for to call you mine, Won’tcha dance with me, my darlin’? Who’s the one I’ll wrinkle with, Like two plums inside a cellar? Me and you, jus’ two old prunes, Ain’t it somethin’ stellar? Love is patient, love is kind – Take my hand, or take my arm – Oh love, I’d love for to call you mine, Won’tcha dance with me, my darlin’? Who’s the girl with the hazel hair And the lips as sweet as summer cherries? Surely, she’s the one I love And she’s the one I’ll marry. Love is patient, love is kind – Take my hand, or take my arm – Oh love, I’d love for to call you mine, Won’tcha dance with me, my darlin’? Ah, dance with me, my darlin’.

Moonlight songs to you, my darling, Moonlight songs to you— To help you dream, serene, serene, Sing hush a loo lor loo. Woolen clouds to you, my darling, Woolen clouds to you— To warm your sleep in peace, in peace, Sing hush a loo lor loo. Hushabye, oh, hushabye, Rest, and close your eyes. Night has come, the day is done. Sleep now, hushabye. Gentle winds to you, my darling, Gentle winds to you— To brush your cheek in kisses sweet Sing hush a loo lor loo. Shooting stars to you, my darling, Shooting stars to you— With them I wish your happiness, Sing hush a loo lor loo. Hushabye, oh, hushabye, Rest, and close your eyes. Night has come, the day is done. Sleep now, hushabye. All my love to you, my darling, All my love to you— To hold you safe until you wake, Sing hush a loo lor loo. Hushabye, oh, hushabye, Rest, and close your eyes. Night has come, the day is done. Sleep now, hushabye. Sleep now, hushabye. Sleep now, hushabye.