Skomværvalsen
Skomvær Waltz

A SEA SHANTY

Music: Bjarne Amdahl (1903 – 1968)
Arr. by Dag Kåre Kristoffersen (1904 – 1986)
Lyrics: Erik Bye (1926 – 2004)
Translation: Dr. Alf Lunder Knudsen

 
The sail ship was named “Skomvær” from Porsgrunn town.
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!
It sings in the shroud and stays again,
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!
For ten thousand salty miles she has plowed
And the back of many a sailor she has bent
And high we’ve lived and much we’ve borne,
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!

Refrain

Hear the ship-bell’s ring! …
Once upon a time! …
Let’s cast off to the old song:
The world is small when the wind is right,
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!

When sea-spray spewed like foam over bow
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!
She sails past both “Dutchman & Draug/ Ghost”
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!
When the sails tightened in storms from southwest
She flew by like most seagulls
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!

Refrain

Stand by old boys, when the bell rings,
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!
Stand by old boys, with sea-salty hair,
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!
If the sail ship has found its grave
And many a rascal has signed off,
“Skomvær” will sail on the sea of memory
Hoist topsail my boys, heave ho!

Refrain