Safe Home

Lyrics

1
I am standing by the castle, I am gazing out to sea,
I am watching for the fishing boats returning.
I am watching for the fishing boats ploughing home through heavy seas,
And I pray that you are making way safe home.

2
Oh the fishing is a hard life, no-one knows like me,
I face a constant struggle with a growing family.
And I have pawned your suit, love, and the ring you gave to me,
I pray that you are making way safe home.

3
My love, I lay awake at night, I miss you desperately,
And many a good man’s fallen to the cruel heart of the sea.
And whenever this is true I pray to God it isn’t you,
I pray that you are making way safe home.

4
The kittiwakes are wheeling around the castle walls,
And through the mist I watch the white-topped breakers rise and fall.
I’m sure I see your sails, love, as the wind she cries and moans,
I pray that you are making way safe home.

Repeat verse 1.

This is a contemporary song about Yorkshire.

Provenance

A friend of mine told me that his elderly relative, as a boy, would be taken up to Scarborough Castle by his mother. They would stand up on what is known as the battery where the view spans both bays. Here they would wait to watch for his father returning with the Scarborough fishing fleet.

Available on CD from www.annashannon.co.uk