[Capo 2nd Fret]
Am C G
Well it's 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the anchors have been weighed,
Am G AmFrom Miami to Nassau, she's bound across the waves.
She's a-headin' south through Biscayne Bay, into the open sea,
Am G AmThe Yarmouth Castle's, she's a-dying and don't know it!
Am C G
There were many years she's been to sea, she's seen the better times,
Am G AmShe gives a groan of protest as they cast away her lines.
And the grumble of her engines and the rust along her spine,
Am G AmTells the Castle she's too old to be sailing.
Am C G
But the sands run out within her heart, a tiny spark glows red,
Am G AmSmoulders through the evening as laughter overhead,
Now when dinner's served and the cards are dealt, & the
Gdrinks are passed around,
Am G AmDeep within, the fire starts a-burning.
Am C G
Now it's midnight on the open sea, the moon is shining bright,
Some people join the party and others say goodnight.
Am C GThere's many who are sleeping now, it's been a busy day,
Am G AmAnd the tiny whisp of smoke is a-risin'.
Am C G
"Oh lord," she groans, "I'm burnin', let someone understand!"
But her silent plea is wasted in the playin' of the band!
Am C GEverybody's dancin' on the deck and they're a-havin' such a time,
Am G AmAnd a voice says, "Shut up and deal, I'm losin'"
Am C G
Deep within the Yarmouth Castle the fire begins to glow,
It leaps into the hallways and climbs and twists and grows!
Am C GAnd the paint she wore to keep her young, oh Lord, how well it burns!
Am G AmAnd soon that ol' fire is ragin'.
Am C G
Now beneath the bridge it's climbing fast, the captain stands alone
He calls up to the bos'un, says, "Bos'un, we are lost!"
Am C GFor the ragged hoses in the racks, no pressure do they hold,
Am G AmThe people down below will soon be dyin'.
Am C G
All amidship's, oh she's a-blazin' now, it's spreadin' fore and aft!
The people are a-scramblin' as the fire blocks the path.
Am C GThe evil smoke surrounds them and they're fallin' in their tracks,
Am G AmAnd the captain in his lifeboat is a-leavin'.
BREAK: Am / (B) / C/ G / Am / G / Am
Oh then the ship Banana Star, comes steamin' through the night,
Am G AmShe sees the Castle blazin' and 'tis a terrible sight.
Am C G"Jump down, jump down," the captain cries, "we'll save you if we can!"
And the paint on his funnels is a-fryin'.
God help the ones who sleep below and cannot find the way,
Am G AmThank God for those we rescued upon this awful day!
Am C GNow the heroes they are many but the times are goin' slim,
And now from stern to bow she's a-blazin'.
Oh the Yarmouth Castle's moanin', she's cryin' like a child,
Am G AmYou can hear her if you listen above the roar so wild.
Am C GIs she cryin' for the ones who lie within her molten sides,
Or cryin' for herself I'm a-wonderin'?
But the living soon were rescued, the ones who lived to tell,
Am G AmFrom the Star they a-watched her as she died there in the swells.
Am C GLike a toy ship on a mill pond she burned all through the night,
Then slipped beneath the waves in the mornin'.
Chords Texts GORDON LIGHTFOOT Ballad Of The Yarmouth Castle. Chordsound to play your music, study scales, positions for guitar, search, manage, request and send chords, lyrics and sheet music