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Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Oh the wind blew cold off the Blackrock shoal
And it rattled our bones like chain
We were fifteen souls and a captain old
Chasing one last freight of grain
We raised that rag in the dawn’s gray bruise
Tar-stained hands and twine
And the gulls they screamed like widows’ news
As we crossed that crooked line
[Chorus]
So heave
My lads
Heave
Blood in the brine and salt in the sleeve
If I go down where the black waves weave
Sing my name to the keel
Boys
Leave me
Heave
My lads
Heave
Ropes bite deep and the planks they breathe
If I sleep cold where the long weeds cleave
Pour one more for the blood in the brine
[Verse 2]
There’s a mark on the mast where the lightning split
On a night that the sky turned green
And the cook went over in the chaos of it
Never found
Never more was seen
We nailed his cup to the galley door
So it rattles in every gale
And we drink his share when the watch runs sore
Just to taste that old ghost’s tale
[Chorus]
So heave
My lads
Heave
Blood in the brine and salt in the sleeve
If I go down where the black waves weave
Sing my name to the keel
Boys
Leave me
Heave
My lads
Heave
Ropes bite deep and the planks they breathe
If I sleep cold where the long weeds cleave
Pour one more for the blood in the brine
[Bridge]
(Oh) Who’ll mend my coat if the seams give way?
(Oh) Who’ll keep my pipe when I’m bone and clay?
I’ve a lock of hair in a leather braid
From a girl on the Mersey quay
If the tide takes me
Let the river trade
Carry word of the likes of me
[Chorus]
So heave
My lads
Heave
Blood in the brine and salt in the sleeve
If I go down where the black waves weave
Sing my name to the keel
Boys
Leave me
Heave
My lads
Heave
Ropes bite deep and the planks they breathe
If I sleep cold where the long weeds cleave
Pour one more for the blood in the brine
Details
GeneratedJan 19, 2026
Duration3:23
LanguageEnglish
Style
folk, Raw a cappella sea shanty with male vocals, heavy wooden stomps and wide handclaps marking a swinging 6/8. Verses stay close and raspy in unison, then bloom into stacked gang harmonies in the chorus. Call-and-response on key lines, with the lead voice cracked and weathered, like shouted over storm winds. Roomy tavern reverb, boots on boards up front in the mix, building to a shouted final refrain that cuts off on a hard stomp., raw, shanty, ballad, a cappella, rhythmic, male vocals
Credits
Prompt by
HamCheck
HamCheckModelAria v5
Prompt
Traditional maritime folk, powerful a cappella male vocals, rhythmic sea shanty, naval ballad, wooden stomp and clap, raw and weathered voice, storytelling style, 1800s nautical atmosphere.
