Three Score and Ten

Methinks I see a hoist of craft
Spreading their sails alee
As down the Humber they do steer
Bound for the great North Sea
Methinks I see a wee small craft
And crew with hearts so brave
They go to earn their daily bread
Upon the restless waves

And it’s three score and ten boys and men
Were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough
Many hundreds more were drowned
Their herring craft and trawlers
Their fishing smacks as well
Alone they fight the bitter night
And battle with the swell

Methinks I see them yet again
As they leave this land behind
Casting their nets into the sea
The herring shoals to find
Methinks I see them yet again
As they save on board alright
With their sails close reefed
Their decks moist clean

And it’s three score and ten boys and men
Were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough
Many hundreds more were drowned
Their herring craft and trawlers
Their fishing smacks as well
Alone they fight the bitter night
And battle with the swell

October night brought such a sight
It was never seen before
There were masts and yards and broken spars
Washed up upon the shore
There was many a heart of sorrow
There was many a heart so brave
There was many a true and noble lad
To find a watery grave

And it’s three score and ten boys and men
Were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough
Many hundreds more were drowned
Their herring craft and trawlers
Their fishing smacks as well
Alone they fight the bitter night
And battle with the swell

And it’s three score and ten boys and men
Were lost from Grimsby Town
From Yarmouth down to Scarborough
Many hundreds more were drowned
Their herring craft and trawlers
Their fishing smacks as well
Alone they fight the bitter night
And battle with the swell