[Verse 1]
Come heap your cups and gather near,
And hear of a bitter venture.
From Grim Pine dock she cast off clear,
With a hold full gold and answer.
The Venture bore a merchant bold,
To Annoth’s kingly fire,
Her sail was white, her belly gold,
And her deck was lined with wire.
[Chorus]
Oh, The Venture sailed away,
The Venture sailed away.
From Grim Pine to Annoth’s gate,
The Venture sailed away.
(Heave away) The Venture sailed away,
(Heave away) The Venture sailed away.
The sea took ship and soul and name,
The Venture sailed away.
[Verse 2]
Her captain wore a fox-red coat,
His mate wore salt and laughter.
They marked each mile by gull and note,
And drank to harvest after.
The winches sang, the lanterns swung,
The rope coils smelled of tar,
And every man with tongue unsung
Looked north for one bright star.
[Chorus]
Oh, The Venture sailed away,
The Venture sailed away.
From Grim Pine to Annoth’s gate,
The Venture sailed away.
(Heave away) The Venture sailed away,
(Heave away) The Venture sailed away.
The sea took ship and soul and name,
The Venture sailed away.
[Verse 3]
Then came a bruise on Namur Strait,
A black wall in the morning.
The wind grew teeth, the waves grew hate,
And gave no kindly warning.
The mast went bent, the sailcloth tore,
The rail gave way like tinder,
And all hands called on shore and shore
As lightning split the cinder.
[Verse 4]
No bell was rung in Annoth town,
No purse was paid for landing.
No wife saw husband step ashore,
No mother found her standing.
So lift your cups for those gone cold,
For foam now keeps their measure,
And let the old grim tale be told
In ale and tears together.
[Chorus]
Oh, The Venture sailed away,
The Venture sailed away.
From Grim Pine to Annoth’s gate,
The Venture sailed away.
(Heave away) The Venture sailed away,
(Heave away) The Venture sailed away.
The sea took ship and soul and name,
The Venture sailed away.