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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Burl Ives
Author: Joseph M. Crofts
Label: UA
Year: 1959
Folk song about a gigantic merchant sailer (with 23 masts) shipwrecking after a seven year voyage. Everyone drowned except the teller of the tale. The Irish National Folklore Collection holds a manuscript dated 1938-'39. Fred Hamer recorded a version by Denis Murray from County Cork in '46.
Covers:
Oliver John Abbott [shortly before he died; claimed to have known the song since the late 19th century]
Spinners [the English band]
Irish Rovers [on their debut album]
Pogues & Dubliners [Stiff single, n°1 IRE, top 10 UK]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)