Track · Jan 19, 2026 · English
Ballad of the Black-Tide Oar
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Duration
2:09
Language
English
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
We slipped from the spit in the gray of the dawn
Salt in our mouths and the lanterns gone
Bosun growled low
"Put your backs to the foam"
Black-tide oars beat the road from home
[Chorus]
Heave
Lads
Heave that Black-Tide oar
Drag that keel from shore to shore
If the sea takes one
She'll ask for more
Row
My bullies
Row
Row
My bullies
Row
[Verse 2]
Press-gang steel at the tavern door
Next thing I knew
I was countin' the oars
Name struck clean from the parish roll
Given to the gun and the captain's hold
[Chorus]
Heave
Lads
Heave that Black-Tide oar
Drag that keel from shore to shore
If the sea takes one
She'll ask for more
Row
My bullies
Row
Row
My bullies
Row
[Bridge]
We buried Tom Pike by the lantern's spit
Wrapped in a sail with his wages writ
Three times down and he was gone from sight
Only his cup left swingin' all night (all night)
[Chorus]
Heave
Lads
Heave that Black-Tide oar
Drag that keel from shore to shore
If the sea takes me
Let the sea keep score
Row
My bullies
Row
Row
My bullies
Row
Style
folkgritty acoustic folk in a minor keybaritone male vocals leading a rough crew chorus. stomps and handclaps lock a steady rowing pulse; fiddle and low whistle weave around a battered concertina. verses stay close and hushed like a mess-deck talechoruses swell with gang shouts and stacked harmonies. subtle creakschainsand hull ambience for texture; final chorus drifts out on a held drone and fading oar-beat.shantyacousticballadrhythmicvocalenglish
Prompt
Traditional maritime sea shanty, baritone male vocal lead with chorus backing, rhythmic rowing tempo, acoustic folk, 18th-century naval ballad, minor key, gritty and weathered vocals, storytelling sty
Credits
Prompt by
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HamCheckGeneratedJan 19, 2026
ModelZona