A Hundred Years Ago
Traditional
Released: October, 2008
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A Hundred Years Ago History
The tune comes from the Blackball Line and was recorded by Richard Runiciman Terry in his Shanty Book of 1926. As far as we can tell, it was first noted in print by R.H. Dana Jr. in ‘Two Years Before’ the Mast (on a whaling voyage in the late 1830s).
When we perform this song live, it seems that the audience is out to get the Shantyman, and manages to speed the pace up every verse until Roger can barely breath at the end of it. The Captain even tries to keep the pace, though he always manages to stand behind Roger as he does. Perhaps there’s something going on there….
A Hundred Years Ago Lyrics
A hundred years on the eastern shore
Ho, yes, ho
A hundred years on the eastern shore
A hundred years ago
A hundred years is a very long time
Ho, yes, ho
A hundred years is a very long time
A hundred years ago
They used to think that pigs could fly
Ho, yes, ho
I don’t believe it no not I
A hundred years ago
They thought the moon was made of cheese
Ho, yes, ho
You can believe it if you please
A hundred years ago
They thought the stars were set alight
Ho, yes, ho
By some good angel every night
A hundred years ago
I Thought I heard the Captain say
Ho, yes, ho
That we were homeward bound today
A hundred years ago
I left my gal across the sea
Ho, yes, ho
She promised she’d be true to me
A hundred years ago
I promised her a golden ring
Ho, yes, ho
She promised me that little thing
A hundred years ago
Up aloft this yard must go
Ho, yes, ho
‘Cause Mr. Mate has told me so
A hundred years ago
I thought I heard the old man say
Ho, yes, ho
Just one more pull and then belay
A hundred years ago
